Data from this year reveals a significant turnaround in GP appointments, with face-to-face appointments surging to an impressive 75.2%, compared to a shocking 37% during the same period the previous year.
In January 2022, NHS Digital data unveiled the concerning statistic that Bury had the lowest percentage of face-to-face GP appointments in all of England. As a result, Bury North MP, James Daly, started a campaign which was backed by thousands of residents to increase the number of face-to-face appointments.
James Daly MP commented: "Improving our GPs services across Bury North has been one of the 6 main points of Our Plan for Bury North. We couldn't stand idly by while my constituents faced an unfair lack of access to face-to-face GP appointments. We met with local health leaders, raised it on the floor of the House of Commons and met with the Secretary of State for health – and this result shows how together can achieve real results for local people.”
The collective efforts of local GP’s and primary care staff, James Daly, and the Government have borne fruit, resulting in a significant increase in face-to-face GP appointments in Bury. The data from this year shows face-to-face appointments climbing to 75.2%, compared to just 37% in the same period the previous year, which is a testament to the campaign's success.
As part of the campaign, James Daly recently met with the Secretary of State for Health, Steve Barclay, in a video discussion. In the video, James Daly highlighted the issue and concerns:
"In January 2022, we had the lowest number of face-to-face appointments in the whole of England. That was 37 percent. It's now above seventy [percent]. So really well done to the reforms of the government and all people working really hard locally in Bury to increase that”
Steve Barclay, Secretary of State for Health, responded to the concerns and discussed measures taken by the government: "Well, you've been right to highlight it, James. It's a hugely important issue, particularly for some older patients. So having access to face-to-face is very important. That's why we've recruited over twenty-nine thousand additional roles into primary care."
Alongside the additional primary care roles, the Health Secretary also pointed to the increased role of pharmacies as the Government seeks to make use of skills in the sector and reduce the pressure on GP surgeries. He also placed emphasis on the reduction in bureaucracy and form-filling that a GP undertakes so they can focus on treating patients.
Whilst this campaign has shown great results for people across Bury, Mr Daly is keen to remind people that there is more to be done. “These statistics are encouraging but I know from speaking to local people there are still some struggling to get appointments. I will keep working to ensure people across Bury are able to access face-to-face GP appointments when they need them.”
“If anybody in Bury North has an issue, or wants to talk about this with me, just contact my office by going to www.jamesdaly.org.uk/contact ”
Though the latest figures to be released for July have slightly dipped below 70%, the number of face-to-face appointments remains drastically higher, continuing to exceed the previous year's 37%.
