Jude Byrne, Birmingham Socialist Party
A move towards a more privatised GP service, similar to NHS dentistry, has been proposed by GP Committee England (GPCE). A ballot of GPs will take place in the next year.
The so-called ‘Plan B’ would allow GPs greater freedom to provide private services to their patients – a means-tested subscription-based service, as currently offered by NHS dentists – resulting in a two-tier system. (We all know how dentistry has turned out!)
If GPs did vote to proceed with this plan, we would see inequality in primary healthcare returning to what it was 80+ years ago.
GPCE have taken this decision at a time when morale is at an all-time low. Hardly surprising after years of underfunding to the service, coupled with increasing workload and more complex cases. GPs no longer feel able to deliver safe and sustainable care. Patients and their families find it harder to access the care they need, so some can become frustrated with GP practice staff.
Decades of underfunding are responsible, with more and more party-political donors linked to private healthcare companies and right-wing think tanks.
‘Plan B’ shows some GPs have now halted demands of politicians to build a properly funded primary healthcare service in the NHS.
Chaos in A&Es would worsen if we lose this primary healthcare service. We must increase awareness of what is happening, oppose this plan and, crucially, get behind GPs and NHS staff campaigning for full funding urgently.
The BMA (British Medical Association) should campaign with other unions, informing the public about the situation in GP practices and pushing for the government investment needed to cope with the massive workload.
