Primary care in the UK is in crisis. General practice was already under huge strain, as a result of the pandemic, high levels of seasonal respiratory viruses, as well as chronic understaffing and underfunding, but recent negative media campaigns against GPs, amidst the health secretary’s plans to publish ‘league tables’ of GP practices, have added to this and have led to increased demoralisation among doctors.

In this week’s episode, we discuss the current political climate affecting the NHS, perceptions of our healthcare system, and how this has changed over the last 10-20 years. If GP ‘league tables’ are not the answer, what creative solutions are needed in order to encourage new GPs into primary care, and to retain doctors in the workforce?

Our guests:

Gareth Iacobucci is the assistant news editor for ‘The BMJ’.

Lucy Martin is a GP, working in Dudley, as well as the acting medical director for Dudley Integrated Health & Care NHS Trust.