Sessional GPs ‘have so much insight about what works and what doesn’t work’, the CEO of Londonwide LMCs told the NASGP in a new podcast.
Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell, who has worked as a salaried GP, said that following the 10 Year Health Plan it was more important than ever for sessional GPs to influence service design, especially where policymakers made no commitment to funding.
“The 10 Year Plan is very aspirational,” she said. “It doesn’t talk a lot about how it’s going to be delivered. In order to have major system change, there’s going to need to be a significant programme of development. That needs resource, and there’s no detail about that.
“So it’s quite hard to look at what’s been published so far and feel that we’re clear of exactly where we’re getting to why and how.”
Dr Harrod-Rothwell also warned that many GPs faced ‘moral injury’ on a daily basis. “Most of us working in general practice, who go home most nights with moral injury, would recognise that something needs to change,” she said.
“We know that GPs are really struggling. We know that they’re leaving the profession. We know they have moral injury and burnout because they can’t do the job they trained for. We know that they feel they’re lacking in power. We know they feel they’re accepting responsibility for other people’s decisions, and we’ve seen the denigration that’s happened in general practice.”
Londonwide LMCs has recently focused on improving safe working for GPs and last year published a Safe working pack.
Dr Richard Fieldhouse, NASGP chair, said: “It found it hugely insightful to hear Dr Harrod-Rothwell articulate what we at NASGP have consistently highlighted: that sessional GPs offer invaluable insight into what genuinely works, and doesn’t, within general practice. Lisa’s comments about the 10 Year Health Plan’s aspirations, lacking crucial funding and delivery details, deeply resonate with our members.
“And Lisa’s powerful description of moral injury and burnout among GPs, stemming from feeling disempowered and burdened by others’ decisions, is a stark reality. This reinforces the urgent need to value and support our entire workforce.
“We fully commend Londonwide LMCs’ dedication to improving safe working conditions and their excellent Safe Working Pack.
“On behalf of our NASGP members, a sincere thank you to Lisa and Londonwide LMCs for championing these critical issues. Empowering sessional GPs to influence service design is not just important, but absolutely essential for the future of patient care.”
