City doctor says GP surgeries are in crisis

A PLYMOUTH doctor who fell in love with general practice has spoken out about the struggles surgeries are facing.

- KATIE OBORN

The GP, who has long Covid, has said being a doctor is an "enormous privilege", but that "crucial" funding is needed.

Dr Rachel Ali has over 20 years of experience as a doctor, the 45-yearold was previously a hospital doctor, but qualified as a GP nine years ago.

She said that general practices have been "under-resourced" for at least 14 years and she, like other GPs, has had to cut down her hours due to being left with long Covid.

GP surgeries have "drastically changed" over the last decade, Dr Rachel Ali said, with things getting "more complicated, harder and longer every year". She has also given some insight on why many people find it difficult to book an appointment swiftly.

She said: "There are people in the country that could be working as GPS.

There are trained GPs around, but we don't have the funding to employ them because we've got to pay them. We're underfunded at GP surgeries. There's a shortage of GPS working as GPs across the country.

There are GPs who want to work, but the government needs to give us (the practices) money.