'Patient Power' To Aid Cut-back Battle

NI doctors have launched a major campaign to counter what they said is a threat to the vital services provided by family doctors across Northern Ireland.

They have issued a survey for practices to complete to ascertain how much funding is being lost and how the effects of the cut will be mitigated.

A petition for patients to sign is also being made available in all GP practices.

The British Medical Association (BMA) GPs are calling on patients to back their efforts in protecting services delivered by practices in local communities - by signing a petition of support.

The petition, along with posters highlighting the plight facing patients, will be available in GP surgeries throughout the province.

A total of £5m has been lost from general practice funding across Northern Ireland since 1 August 2010.

This will result in an average cut of £15,000 per practice and will be a recurrent in the budget.

The BMA said this loss in essential funding is likely to lead to a withdrawal of some services, job losses, longer waiting times and even more hospital admissions as well as longer hospital stays.

Dr Brian Dunn, Chairman of the BMA's General Practitioner Committee (pictured) in Northern Ireland said: "We have previously highlighted this blatant cut to an essential frontline health service and are worried about the consequences.

"GPs want to be able to continue to treat patients in a safe, adequately funded environment, but patients need to be aware that one of the most important services available to them is under threat."

Dr Dunn continued: "As advocates for our patients, GPs have constantly iterated to the Minister and senior policy makers at the Health and Social Care Board their grave concerns about the loss of this essential funding.

"However we believe more cuts are coming and so we are asking patients to show their support for general practice by signing a petition, which is available in their GP's surgery," he continued.

"It is clear that only by working together will we be able to defend general practice, a key part of the health service in our community."

(BMcC/KMcA)