COLCHESTER residents have said the NHS "needs an overhaul" after a top doctor revealed the East of England is one of the worst regions when it comes to GP numbers.

Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, who is the chair of the BMA's England GP Committee, has voiced concern over the low number of doctors working in the east.

According to the health expert, the region boasts just 4,895 GPs, 2,142 GP partners, 1,555 salaried GPs, 55 GP retainers, 153 locums, and 1032 GPs in training.

This means the East of England, which has a population of about 634,809, has 7.7 GPs per 10,000 people, which is lower than the 7.8 average for England.

“The East of England has some of the most deprived people and the lowest GP numbers," she added.

“It is a critical patient safety issue”.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Waiting - Dr Katie said GPs shortages could be explained by the low rate of 7.7 GPs per 10,000 people in the East of EnglandWaiting - Dr Katie said GPs shortages could be explained by the low rate of 7.7 GPs per 10,000 people in the East of England (Image: Newsquest)

Colchester residents have now reacted to the findings, with Holly Mann saying her 70-year-old dad once had to wait at 7am for three hours in a queue to be seen.

While Susan Anne said phone calls "are the norm if you're lucky" for GP appointments and revealed how a nurse told her the NHS waiting list for skin referrals was up to "two years".

"I think some people believe all is OK with surgeries. It isn’t, some are overwhelmed," she added.

Martin Ronald Hall, meanwhile, said "the whole NHS needs a overhaul".

"If people can get GP appointments then maybe 111 and 999 calls would not be so overwhelmed," he said. 

Dr Bramall-Stainer has now said that although many residents would be feeling frustrated about the waiting times, they must understand there are a “limited number of GPs and a limited number of hours”.

She added: “At the minute we are training more GPs than ever before.

"But with newly qualified GPs, only half take up NHS roles – we have got to make sure we retain staff."

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Shortages - Dr Katie said low GP numbers effectively meant that across the country there's about 6 million patients who do not have GP access Shortages - Dr Katie said low GP numbers effectively meant that across the country there's about 6 million patients who do not have GP access (Image: BMA)

Dr Bramall-Stainer also explained how some people on waiting lists often go straight to a private consultant instead which is “costly”.

Survival rates for those in the East of England is also a concern, with Dr Bramall-Stainer saying “we cannot stay silent and watch this scandal”.

The BMA GP Committee and the government are now set to meet on February, 1 for crunch talks ahead of potential GP strikes. 

“If we don’t mange to negotiate a safe contract for 2024/25, this will be the third year in the row," added Dr Bramall-Stainer.

“We can’t go on the way we are. I think we might have to start asking questions that haven’t been asked in a generation.

“We want to protect the communities across the regions."

In response to this article, a spokesman for NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “We know how hard all the staff at GP practices are working for their patients during this incredibly busy time and we thank them for all they are doing.

“There is a wide team of health care professionals working at many surgeries, not only GPs, but also physiotherapists, pharmacists, nurses and physician associates, enabling people to access the most appropriate care for their needs.

The spokesperson added that the ICB will continue too support GPs deliver "high quality" community services and added that you can find out more about different roles within GPs here.