Ram Arora Podcasts Library

Me and Ben Prater have a frank discussion about the state of primary care as evidenced in the Darzi report and what may be the recipe to save British general practice.

A whopping 39 percent GPs are thinking of leaving the profession in the coming 5 years , if something isn't done soon, we may be 22000 GPs short which could very well be a fatal blow to the NHS . The current GP workforce crisis seems to be a product of increasing workload , reduced staffing and increasing complexity of cases due to an ageing population. The need for action by the government is now and the consequences of inaction are going to be dire for the NHS. It is time for some bold and radical action by the government .....(and it's not just about the pay).

As a part of the 'living with Covid Plan' published in mid February 2022, today from 1st April the government is scrapping free Covid tests (with the exception of patient-facing NHS and care staff and Clinically extremely vulnerable patients). The UK Government mentions high levels of population immunity secondary to a successful vaccination programme and effective antiviral treatments as a reason for the scrapping in addition to the prohibitive cost to the taxpayer. 

However, both Care bodies and Doctor's organizations have criticized this move. Blood Cancer UK has mentioned that "Protection from Covid should be a right, not a privilege". BMA has said that providing free tests only to clinically vulnerable people once they develop symptoms, and not providing any free tests to their friends and family, was “completely illogical, as the priority should be protecting them from infection in the first place.” Patients Association, said that charging patients for lateral flow tests “creates a barrier” that would exacerbate health inequalities for those who may not be able to afford them. “Charging for tests will contribute to covid-19’s continuing spread.”

Here are my thoughts on this subject, telecast live today in the morning show with Ben Prater about this thorny issue on BBC Radio Wiltshire.