It’s hard to interpret this properly. NI by far the worst of the 4 nations, partly from austerity, but also from lack of reform, dynamism, creativity, ideas, plans, autonomy, accountability, leadership and basic understanding. I’m not sure Labour will fix it here

"Last year the UK’s GPs were reportedly seeing 45-50 patients a day, in stark contrast to many of our colleagues in Europe: 10 a day in Portugal and Belgium; 25 in Switzerland, Italy, and Denmark." Dr Helen Salisbury on the reality of GPs' working hours bmj.com/content/386/bm…

Thanks for everything Dr Stephen Farry , not just an MP but my MP until recently. Took up a number of very key issues on our behalf, and really showed me the importance of proper NI representation at Westminster

I like the progress and the positivity. On fixing the health service, it is workforce, workforce, workforce, and then listen to them. They will give you all the answers (but I know you know this already!)

Read our statement on the draft Programme for Government released today. "Truly changing our health service may mean taking unpopular decisions, but we cannot keep doing what we are doing and hope it will lead to better outcomes." Alan Stout brnw.ch/21wMuG6

This table is from Bengoa report showing where we should be with a very conservative 6% annual increase for inflation, demography and rising demand. Austerity indeed, and it is no surprise we can get nowhere near matching current demand

In NI it is even worse 👇

And it’s worse again as we’ve had the plan to change it (and saying similar) for 8 years now. We haven’t even stabilised the basics, and a 5.4% spend in GP is clear evidence of complete failure of planning and implementation

Before we talk about doctors not being adaptable in the way their of working, and reinventing the wheel… Can we get some working computers? Chairs rather than bin lids and stop putting patients in cupboards?

“I don’t know a doctor who isn’t champing at the bit for reform and change of their working practices to make them better so we can get on and treat patients.” BMA chair Philip Banfield 💙 tells BBC News (UK) the government must work with doctors to achieve its plans for reform.

NI “NHS” leaders need to realise & ACTION this fact. GP fundholders. Money follows patient. Payment by results. Combination will provide route to righting the wrongs of our sinking NI “NHS” ship.

We of course do the opposite: Starve them of resource, deprive patients of access, and then spend much, much more when the practice collapses

I love these English conversations. We feel so 1980’s in NI and are nowhere near electronic prescribing for GPs never mind hospitals

It’s also vital to mention the environmental impact. Every GP is seriously uncomfortable with the amount of paper and disposables used every day, not to mention the petrol involved for the patient merry go round. Solutions have been there (and used elsewhere) for many years

I think Labour have forgotten around 50% of their political philosophy…. The future is not all about cuts

Alan Stout Alan - it’s scandalous and a dereliction of duty that NI hasn’t implemented EPS and are knowingly adversely affecting patients and GP workload.

Well worth reading this summary. Even if it is ‘England only’, the principles are exactly the same in each nation, albeit with even deeper problems

Ironically, if the actual Govt were to pay the ‘small fee’ for every contact, they’d very quickly realise that they can afford what General Practice does….

He is entirely correct. With health economics a ‘standstill position’ is effectively a 6% cut, with what is actually needed, we are at least 12% down

An intriguing analysis, and with the evidence of recent decisions we’re kidding ourselves if we have any proper ‘control’ here