Record numbers of GP practices closed last year, forcing around 265,000 patients to move, data suggests. A Freedom of Information request by Pulse magazine revealed 57 practices closed in 2016, with a further 34 shutting because of practice mergers.
The Royal College of GPs said doctors could no longer cope with growing patient demand without more funding. Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, chairwoman of the college, said: 'GP practices are the lifeblood of our local communities so the complete closure of any practice will always be a last resort when all other options have proved unworkable.'
NHS England said investment in general practice had increased by £1bn over two years. An NHS England spokesman said anyone wanting to register with a GP was guaranteed a place and funding had been increased. 'As part of our plans to improve general practice services and boost the workforce, many practices are choosing to merge in order to offer patients a much greater range of services,' he added.
But Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the British Medical Association's GP committee, blamed local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) for stopping the cash getting to where it was needed. 'Many practices that should have received support have had none to date. That's been a failing of local delivery,' he said.
Labour's shadow health secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, said: 'Tory ministers need to take urgent action to address this spike in GP practice closures and explain what they will do to make sure patients can easily and safely access the GP services they need.'
