Emma speaks to GP Dr Simon Opher, who was elected as the Labour MP for Stroud in Gloucestershire in the general election in July this year. Simon was a GP in his constituency for 30 years before standing for parliament.

In this interview he talks about why he wanted to become an MP, what being an MP involves day to day and some of the challenges he’s faced in this new role – including going from being in one of the most trusted professions as a GP to the least trusted as a politician.

Simon also talks about what role he thinks general practice will play in Labour’s plans for a neighbourhood NHS, how he hopes general practice will improve over the course of this parliament and why he thinks the GP partnership model is the key to successful general practice.

And he explains why he sees standing up for general practice as central to his new job.

This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen.

Useful links

Government opens public consultation to shape 10-year NHS plan

Government plans to ‘bulldoze bureaucracy’ to free up GP time

Labour’s new GP MP says primary care will be prioritised for any new NHS funding

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