Survey shows GPs more anxious about NHS

A survey of GPs has shown that over half of GPs are more anxious about the future of the NHS as a result of UK Health Secretary Andrew Lansley's announcement to put NHS reorganisation plans on hold. 

The results come from a poll run by Insight Research Group within eVillage – an online forum for GPs and other healthcare practitioners. 

As part of the survey, GPs were asked: "Compared to how you felt before, how has Lansley's announcement [that he plans to put the NHS reorganisation on hold] left you feeling about the NHS changes?"

Over half of respondents (51 per cent) said that they felt 'more anxious' or 'much more anxious', while six per cent said they felt 'more confident'. Only one per cent said they felt 'much more confident'.

Comments left by GPs included:

"The delay shows a lack of vision about what the end result should look like." 

"We now have two months for DH (Department of Health) to rethink and hopefully listen to people who do know what is what and ensure that this does not become a private company raid on NHS services. I for one will ensure that this does not happen." 

"It casts a lot of uncertainty for commissioning in general – what should Pathfinder sites do in the meantime?" 

"I totally agree with the desire not to bring in private companies and in anyway dilute the NHS monies into non NHS services. Profit has to be delivered back to patient care."

Nicola Cowland from Insight Research Group said: "From what we see on eVillage, the majority of GPs are coming out vocally against the reforms, with the delay only serving to make them more anxious. Most GPs lamented the poor timing and organisation of the review, and the sense of uncertainty and confusion as to how this would affect their practices."