Health crisis: BLMK area now 10th worst for patients per GP
New data from the House of Commons Library has revealed that the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) area has the 10th worst figures for patients per GP in England. There are now 2,799 patients per fully qualified GP, which is an increase of 495 patients since December 2016.
Councillor Dean Crofts, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, said “These figures are incredibly concerning but not surprising. We have been campaigning on this issue for years and the government are simply not listening to thousands of residents who are having difficulties accessing primary healthcare.
“We were told by the ICB that our area lost out on eight trainee GPs because we don’t have the surgery space. Then only a couple months later we get the news that a number of GP surgery projects will now not go ahead. The government needs to get their act together and prioritise health infrastructure in Bedford Borough.
“We have pushed the Council to act and step in to provide initial start-up funding for surgeries and thankfully they are now considering this. I hope these new figures provide the evidence that these buildings are needed urgently.”
You can join Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats campaign for a fair deal on primary care by signing their petition at www.bedfordlibdems.org.uk/petitions/gp-shortage.