A new manifesto has been launched by the Doctors’ Association UK to help ‘fight’ for the future of GP services.

Co-launched by Cumbrian GP, Dr Ellen Welch, the manifesto calls for the equivalent of one GP per 1600 patients, the relieving of pressure on GPs by shortening secondary care waiting lists and the formation of a cross-party group to make “longer term decisions for the health service and stabilise the NHS.”

Dr Welch is a former chair of the Doctors’ Association and has recently written a book entitled "Why Can’t I See My GP” which highlights many of the problems faced by GPs across the country.

During the election briefing given by the Doctors’ Association, Dr Welch said that the GP system is ‘chronically underfunded’.

“The GP contract today is worth 2 billion less than it was five years ago so we're existing an a system that's been chronically underfunded,” said Dr Welch.

“If we were to invest £35 per person per year of population then we could restore GP funding to 2015 levels.

“This investment is extremely achievable and what's more is that this doesn't need to be new money.

“A new government can choose to reallocate the money being spent elsewhere within the system.

“For example, the two billion that has been spent on inefficient schemes, which fragment care, such as the Pharmacy First Scheme, the Additional Roles and Reimbursement Scheme, ARRS.

“This pot of money can be reallocated and reinvested into core general practice.”

A recent report published by the Lancashire and Cumbria Consortium of Local Medical Committees says that the financial pressures faced by GP surgeries in Cumbria is 'alarming’.

The report seeks to highlight the problems felt by GPs which has led to more than 200,000 people in Cumbria being signed up to GP practices which are 'at risk’.

"The future of general practice, collectively and individually, is at stake here,” said the report.

“If action and serious attention is not given to this pressing issue, there is a very real possibility of mass practice closures and patients finding that access to a GP will worsen significantly."

“If we want a simple example of why we must resist this, we only need to look at the state of our patient's teeth. Most people simply cannot afford to pay for dentistry. If NHS general practice fades away, they will not be able to afford healthcare either."

This week a national ballot for collective action has opened for GPs in Cumbria.

GP members who run their surgeries will vote on whether to support the BMA’s call for collective action.

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The decision to launch the ballot came after the BMA formally entered a dispute with NHS England following the member referendum on the 2024/25 GMS contract changes in March.

The Conservatives have promised to build 100 new GP surgeries in England and extend the Pharmacy First scheme to help ease the pressure of GPs.

Labour will train thousands more GPs and ‘cut the red tape’ so they can “bring back the family doctor,” according to shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting and the Liberal Democrats have pledged an extra 8,000 GPs.