GP practices under ‘significant pressure’ – but working to develop ‘new and better services’ for patients

MELKSHAM’S GP practices are experiencing a “significant increase” in both workload and demand for appointments.

Recent pressures have been accredited to an “emergence” of patients coming forward with symptoms left unchecked “for a number of months”, a “workload shift” from the hospitals into primary care services, and a difficulty recruiting doctors and other clinical staff. 

But the Melksham and Bradford on Avon Primary Care Network (PCN) – which consists of the three GP practices Bradford on Avon & Melksham Health Partnership, Giffords Surg- ery and Spa Medical Practice – says that despite the pressures, they are continuing to see patients face-to-face when required, run Melksham’s Covid vaccination centre, and are “successfully” managing patients via its clinical team. 

And the PCN has said that they are working together across the three practices to “develop new and better services for our patients”. 

The local PCN has responded to a report by the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group, that says GPs across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire have seen demand for services “increase significantly” in the space of 12 months by almost 75 per cent. 

Clinical director of the Melksham and Bradford on Avon Primary Care Network, Dr Claire Rigby, told Melksham News, “The practices in Melksham and Bradford-on Avon have seen a significant increase in both workload and patient demand on appointments over recent months.  “Throughout the pandemic we have continued to see patients face-to-face when required and have run a very successful Covid vaccination service from Spencer Sports and Social Club in Melksham.  

“As lockdown has lifted we have seen the emergence of much unmet need in the patient population, with patients reporting symptoms they may have had and not reported for a number of months.  

“This, coupled with a workload shift from the hospitals into Primary Care, has increased the burden.  

“The problems are compounded by difficulty recruiting doctors and other clinical staff.  

“We now work as part of a multidisciplinary team and problems which may have been dealt with in the past by a GP are now very successfully managed by a clinical team such as first contact physiotherapists, clinical pharmacists, paramedics, and highly trained nurses.  

“Going forward we will continue to work together across the three practices to develop new and better services for our patients.” 

According to the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group, the rise in demand has left appointment slots at many practices across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire fully booked for weeks in advance, leading doctors to ask people in need of care to remain patient as staff work to see people as quickly and as safely as possible.  

They report that last month, professionals in the region carried out a total of 388,391 primary care appointments, which is a 73 per cent increase on the 223,951 appointments that took place during May 2020.  

Dr Andrew Girdher, CCG Clinical Chair and GP Partner at Box Surgery in Wiltshire, said, “The whole health and care system, including GP practices, hospitals and the ambulance service, is extremely busy at the moment, and the significant increase in demand we are seeing means clinical availability is less than usual.  

“We recognise this can be frustrating for patients, especially for those who may be asked to wait longer than they would like for an appointment.  

“My fellow GPs and I, as well as our other practice-based health and care colleagues, continue to do everything we can to prioritise those in genuine need of care and treatment, and ask that our communities support us through their continued patience and understanding.  

“In no way should people put off contacting their practice when they have a genuine health concern, however some people may have to wait, but we will do all it takes to ensure as many appointments as possible are there for those who need them.”  

Those needing support for minor illness and injury are encouraged to make use of the vast number of community pharmacies spread out across the region, with the in- house pharmacists able to provide consultations and recommend effective treatments.  

People can also find health and care advice through the NHS website, as well as through the NHS 111 service.  

Visiting 111.nhs.uk or calling 111 or allows people to receive help based on their individual symptoms and, where appropriate, can result in individuals being directed to other local services, such as urgent treatment centres and out-of-hours GPs.  

Additionally, help for issues relating to mental health, such as depression and anxiety, can be found through the NHS talking therapy services, which is available at: nhs.uk/talk 

More information on local health and care services can be found online at: www.bswccg.nhs.uk