The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) published the report Access to general practice in England on 9 March 2016.

The report warns a future gap of GP staffing in the north east. There has been no mechanisms to distribute the GP workforce fairly across the country. According to the PAC inquiry, it has been much easier to fill GP training places in London than in other areas, such as the north east. Inequalities in the distribution of general practice staff has an impact on health inequalities.

Commenting on “Access to General Practice in England”, Public Accounts Committee Member and Houghton and Sunderland South MP, Bridget Phillipson said:

“The Committee found that demand for GP services is exceeding supply, putting pressure on other parts of the Health Service, particularly Accident and Emergency services.

“Patients face a postcode lottery trying access GP services and those living in more affluent areas have better access than anyone else.

“The Committee has called on the Department of Health and NHS England to report by the end of the year with detailed plans explaining how they will attract and retain GPs, and reduce the variation in service experienced by patients.”

For more coverage on the report and what its findings mean to the north east, read this article on Chronicle Live.