Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, has welcomed news that there are an estimated 56 more doctors, nurses and other patient care staff working in general practice in Penrith and The Border since 2019. This includes roles such as dispensers, health care assistants, phlebotomists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, therapists and others.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“The vast majority of people here in Cumbria primarily experience the NHS through their general practices so making sure these practices are better tooled for the job with a workforce of varied healthcare professionals is crucial to improving patient outcomes.
“From making sure illnesses are identified earlier to better managing long-term conditions, getting patients to see their GP is central to our Plan for Patients. We have some amazing healthcare professionals working here in Cumbria and I pay tribute to all the work they are doing to keep our county fit and healthy.”
Nationally, there are an estimated 23,000 more patient care staff working in general practice across England than in 2019. New Department of Health and Social Care figures for Penrith and The Border show an estimated increase of 55.5 Full Time Equivalents from September 2019 to September 2022 – an uplift of 38.4%.
Dr Hudson is a passionate campaigner for local services such as GP practices and has already championed new innovative solutions to rural Primary Care delivery alongside not-for-profit healthcare provider Cumbria Health on Call; helped keep the Newton Rigg vaccine hub open and opened Penrith Hospital’s newly renovated inpatient ward following a £1.2 Government Investment.
As laid out in the Conservative Government’s Plan for Patients in September 2022, good primary care is the foundation of an effective health system for patients and is the way that most people experience the NHS. Improving general practice supports the early identification of serious illnesses and the management of chronic conditions, while also helping people to live healthier lives. Getting patients in to see their GP, practice nurse or other clinical professional is at the heart of this plan.
The Plan for Patients also set out the government’s commitment to using transparent data to inform and empower patients. A modelling approach has enabled estimates of staff at constituency level to be given for the first time.
