'We need more permanent GPs'
A leading city GP has called for more permanent family doctors to be recruited to practices.
Professor Azhar Farooqi, a GP in Highfields, said more partners were needed to help look after patients living in Leicester.
He said more partners would help provide better continuity of care for patients and help doctors see more people.
Prof Farooqi, who is also chairman of the Leicester City clinical commissioning group, said: "When I began work we were all partners in our practices.
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"However, a lot of younger doctors coming through don't want partnerships.
"They don't want a long-term career in one place and in the cities, such as Leicester, in particular, probably because the work tends to be more demanding.
"Having GPs in practice does make a difference.
"Most patients like to see the same doctor and see their family doctor as a life-long part of their life.
"If someone is a partner they tend to be around for longer and because they know the patient it helps with consultation times."
Latest figures show that there are just over 121 full-time GP partners in the city.
There are a further 56 salaried GPs – doctors employed by practices – and 30 long-term locum doctors looking after 374,383 registered patients, along with specialist nurses.
Plans are being put together to create more "training" practices in the city – GP surgeries which take on responsibility for training new GPs.
Prof Farooqi said: "We have about eight at the moment and want to double that number.
"It takes about three years to set up each new training practice to make sure the staff and facilities are in place.
"But if we have more doctors training in the city the more likely it is that they will stay."
The move has been welcomed by city councillor Paul Westley, chairman of the patient participation group at the Baxter Close surgery in Beaumont Leys.
He said: "People want to see their regular GP.
"They get used to them and get to know them."
Health campaigner, Zuffar Haq, a member of the Leicester Mercury Patients' Panel, said: "I am sure that having more partners would help patients."
Comments
by SvenWeTrust
Friday, November 02 2012, 6:17PM
“Somebody needs to because it seems the tax payer gets no help, and the Doctors Surgery especially ours seems to not care whether your ill or not as long as they get there over expensive wages and the Staff collect there wage packet at the end of the month.
Even though us the tax payer (well most of us) pay there wages and keep them in the job that feeds there mouths not the Government.
Something needs to change”
by Lynnieheal
Friday, November 02 2012, 5:57PM
“by SvenWeTrust "Our Doctors Surgery is a joke,
have got to agree luckily have left the area now and living in the county now. Government wont help either am afraid the whole infrastructure is wrong from start to finish , pleased you have spoken out . Good luck too”
by SvenWeTrust
Friday, November 02 2012, 4:59PM
“You have to ring at certain times to book in to the Oakmeadow Surgery and then your not guaranteed a slot. They wont see you less your dying or dead.
And the Staff are completely useless. As for the Doctors (when you get to see one) less I say about that the better.
After my Wife being told the Pill was not urgent I have now realised that that Surgery either needs new Staff / Manger or closing down as it's pointless anyway as you can never get in, seems to be excuse after excuse why they cant see the patient (tax payer).
The annoying thing is there is a surgery on Aikman Avenue which is closer to us but were not in the right area.
So how the hell does that work??
Government sort it out !!”
by Lynnieheal
Friday, November 02 2012, 4:21PM
“by SvenWeTrust Oakmeadow Surgury / Glenfield has been going down hill for years. and this just about sums them up and there Reception Staff!!
have got to agree 100% luckily am no longer with them no more. It took them 24 years to diagnose me with a bad disease and they were NOT at all good ever if am honest even after nearly dying in 2010.When I did see the nurse on the last oaccasion she ha dthe cheek to ask why I wasnt working. My answer was have always worked and cannot no longer as am on secondary now with a bad disease. They never ever read all my notes properly”
by SvenWeTrust
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 1:16PM
“Our Doctors Surgery is a joke,
My Wife recently rang and asked to see a Nurse so she can have a repeat prescription of contraceptive.
There reply was. "Sorry she is very busy and booked up for a week" and then said " not as if it's urgent is it" No lets just have loads of kids and cost the Government a load more !!
What a joke, Oakmeadow Surgury / Glenfield has been going down hill for years. and this just about sums them up and there Reception Staff!!
As for trying to see a Doctor, less your dying it's classed as "Not Urgent" and wait your turn !!”
by Toddy2010
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 12:46PM
“Take a pay cut and free up some money”
by garyb2011
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 10:42AM
“Prof Farooqi is an exceptionally good GP who I would recommend to anyone without reservation”
by leicestersing
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 10:13AM
“When I go and see the doctor, I expect that they will treat me to the best of their ability- it is not always possible to read through all the notes before a consultation, so the personal connection is important, especially when someone has complicated health risks. There is so little that can be done in a 10 minute consultation, when you don't have time to understand an individuals situation.”