At the beginning of the month was published the analysis of GP practices in the UK. The report showed a significant shortage of a number of GPs in the last year. According to the published report, the number of GPs per 100,000 fell to 60 just in the last year, compared to 65 in 2014. The numbers show the first sustained drop for the last 50 years, according to BBC. The analysis organized by Nuffield Trust thinks tank for the BBC shows that the significant shortage of GPs number comes in a time when there is rather strong pressure on the GP practices, especially considering to new changes to the NHS and the ageing population of the country. With the rising demand for GPs, patients are already experiencing the downfalls of the shortage by mentioning more and real difficulties in making appointments.
Reports show that there have been difficulties to make a routine appointment for over seven weeks. Meanwhile, those in need of an emergency or urgent appointment have to wait in queues outside GP practices from the early morning so they can make sure that they will be seen.
Musculoskeletal (MSK) health issues and problems are one of the most common reasons for making an appointment at the GP among the patients, with 1 of every 8 GP appointments addressing such problems. In fact, an estimated 29% of the population of the country live with some sort of MSK condition. Chiropractors are the professionals specializing in MSK conditions and offering help relief for some sort of health issues. They have a key role in relieving some of this pressure and often work together with GP practices as a team for providing patients with the most suitable and effective help.
Catherine Quinn, President of the British Chiropractic Association, thinks: “Today’s research shows just how important it is for GPs and First Contact Practitioners such as chiropractors to work together to relieve the pressures on primary care services.
Some of our members work closely with the NHS and support GPs when they receive referrals, but this number needs to increase. For example, we know that 80% of people in the UK will suffer from back and neck issues during their lifetime and, of those, 32% will visit their local GP as the first action, when they could see a chiropractor instead. Raising greater awareness about the support services available will help people move away from automatically choosing GPs as the first port of call.”