GP Patients numbers set to swell even further.

According to the latest NHS Digital data, 530 patients (12%) still remain on the books of Folkestone East Family Practice; which closed its doors for the final time on Oct 31st 2017. So ten months on 530 people are still waiting to be transferred to other GP Surgeries.

Between Apr 2017 and August 2018 there has been an overall increase of 1241 patients at all surgeries across the district.

What with more development on the way in the shape of Princes Parade (150 homes) Otterpool Park (up to 12,000 homes), The Seafront development Folkestone (up to 1,000 homes),The Lees Sellindge (up to 250 homes), The Sands development in St Mary’s Bay (85 homes), and the Cockreed  Lane development, New Romney (up to 275 homes), the numbers of patients will no doubt swell even further putting more pressure on all GP surgeries across the district.

What with a record 15.3 per cent of GP posts in the UK unfilled, which is equal to more than 6,000 full-time GP posts, government pledges to address soaring waiting times for GP appointments by recruiting thousands more doctors/GPs have fallen flat.

A survey of more than 800,000 patients in England reveals that the proportion of patients waiting longer than seven days to see a doctor has risen 56% in five years – with 20% waiting this period compared to 12.8% in 2012.

The number unable to get an appointment has also risen to 11.3%, an increase of 27% since 2012. Of those who were not able to get an appointment or found the appointment offered was not convenient, 14.6% did not see or speak to anyone as a result.

Many of you will have experienced longer waiting times to see a GP, and no doubt many of you will have found getting through to your GP is taking longer. In the meantime, all we will see is patients numbers rise as development across our beautiful district increases.

The Shepwayvox Team – Dissent is NOT a Crime