Clive Jones MP holds first roundtable with local GPs and staff

Liberal Democrat MP Clive Jones met with Wokingham GPs to discuss the challenges facing the NHS.

Clive Jones, Liberal Democrat MP for Wokingham, has held this first ‘roundtable’ meeting with local GPs to hear their views on the challenges facing general practice in the Wokingham Constituency. 

Recent watchdog reports, as well as correspondence from constituents, has highlighted patient concerns over the service local GPs are able to provide.  On average, each GP in our area is responsible for 534 more patients than in 2016.  The roundtable was organised at Clive’s request to hear first-hand how GPs are addressing these concerns.

Following the meeting, Clive Jones said:

“Our GPs and their staff work hard to meet the needs of their communities, but are under-resourced and limited by organisational issues within the NHS.

“Primary healthcare is the foundation of our NHS and, if resourced and supported properly, will play a huge part in healthier lives and reducing the demand on other parts of the NHS.

“I am hugely grateful for the time these busy GPs gave me today and I will take what I’ve learned today back to Parliament.”

Dr Mark Green, Chair of Berkshire LMC said:

"We appreciate the opportunity to engage with Clive Jones and his interest in working towards a General Practice that is effective and sustainable for both patients and staff.

"General Practice is currently functioning on its lowest share of the NHS budget in over two decades, and there are fewer GPs than 10 years ago, with a growing and ageing population. In any given week, 15% of Wokingham patients contact their GP surgery, and 1.3 million appointments are provided by GPs nationally every single day. Yet despite this, many GPs are unable to find work due to practices being defunded to below the point of financial viability.

"The solution to this crisis will not be easy, but it certainly is not found in a never-ending pursuit for ever-increasing access at the cost of patient outcomes and continuity of care. Practices need to be resourced and funded to provide what patients want and need - to see their GP.

"We look forward to further dialogue with Clive and thank him for raising the needs of Wokingham GPs and their patients at Westminster."

All parties agreed that the roundtable had been very productive and will continue to meet on a regular basis.