Nearly 900,000 more people receive GP appointments in the North West compared to before the pandemic

NEARLY 900,000 more people receive appointments in general practice in the North West compared to before the pandemic.

THERE were nearly 900,000 more appointments in general practice in January 2024 compared to the same month before the pandemic.
Nationally, new NHS data shows GPs are seeing record numbers of patients, with 53 million more appointments – excluding those for Covid vaccinations – delivered last year, compared to before the pandemic.
In the region, the new data shows there were over 3.8 million appointments (excluding vaccinations) delivered by GP practices in January 2024, with over 1.76 million of these appointments taking place on the same day.

Every GP practice must offer face to face appointments as well as telephone and online consultations, with some patients choosing remote appointments where it is clinically appropriate. Today’s data shows most appointments in the region, over 2.5 million, were delivered face-to-face in January.
Dr Paula Cowan, GP and Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England – North West said: “Colleagues in general practice are working harder than ever, carrying out record numbers of appointments and delivering timely access to healthcare for the populations they serve.
“This is incredible progress from teams across the North West and we are determined to make it easier to access services around people’s busy lives.”
The latest figures also reveal that there were over 198,000 missed appointments in the same month where patients who booked an appointment but did not attend, or ‘DNAs’. This represents an increase of more than 28,000 more wasted appointments than in January 2019.
A recent study estimated that, in 2021/22, the average nine-minute GP face-to-face consultation costs £42. In financial terms, this means in January, patient no-shows cost the region’s NHS over £8.3 million.

Dr Cowan added “Demand for appointments in general practice has never been higher, with the NHS pressured across all of its services, if you get an appointment, but no longer need it, please let your surgery know so that appointment can be freed up for others who are ill.”
Patients should also consider a wide range of other NHS services as an alternative to visiting a GP surgery or emergency department.
In January, the NHS expanded the role of community pharmacies with the Pharmacy First scheme. This is where patients can get treatment for seven common conditions right at their high street pharmacy.

Over 1500, that is 95.5% of all pharmacies in the region, are now offering the ground-breaking initiative, with the health service making it easier and more convenient for people to access care.
NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk, via the NHS App or call 111, is also available for urgent medical problems and you aren’t sure what to do. In life-threatening emergencies, you should call 999 or go to A&E.