A recent survey by the charity Age UK reveals that nearly half of over-50s are concerned about how difficult it is to access their GP, a finding that equates to 12.6 million people. Older individuals are also anxious about securing hospital appointments and emergency care. One stroke patient, David, who chose not to disclose his surname, highlighted the issue, stating he cannot afford to remain on hold with his GP practice due to phone charges. He expressed sympathy for the staff, acknowledging their limited ability to help, and noted that he is not alone in facing these challenges.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, emphasised the urgency of the situation, explaining that delayed healthcare often means denied healthcare for older people who do not have time on their side. Abrahams pointed out that many older adults are experiencing distress and, in some cases, enduring pain due to difficulties in accessing necessary GP services. Age UK is advocating for increased investment in primary care, GP practices, and community services to address these issues.
In response, an NHS spokeswoman noted that while eight out of ten older people report a positive overall experience with their GP practice, efforts are being made to upgrade telephone systems to further enhance the patient experience. Additionally, the NHS Long Workforce Plan aims to increase GP training places by 50% to ensure better continuity of care, particularly for older adults and those with complex needs.
The findings of the survey are based on responses from 2,621 adults over the age of 50, complemented by an online survey of 17,000 people.
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