Train more GPs rather than focus on a divisive border poll: Middleton

The DUP’s Five Point Plan for Northern Ireland calls for more GPs to be trained each year.

Gary Middleton said,

“Our Five Point Plan for Northern Ireland recognises that General Practice is not working and needs fixed. This is not the sole away to fix the NHS but it is a significant problem. Patients aren’t being assessed in a timely manner, the workload is continually expanding and there aren’t sufficient staff to run the service optimally.

90% of all contacts within the NHS occur with a GP, and the number of patients with multiple long-term conditions is rising with people living longer with illness. On average each person is consulting their GP more often.

Our Five Point Plan for Northern Ireland focuses on training more general practitioners and on retaining those who are trained. We need to address the barriers as to why GPs do not want to take on full time roles.”