Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board says it is working with South Holland surgeries on a recovery plan

Health bosses say they are working with GPs on a recovery plan after concerns were raised about patients being able to get doctors appointments.

Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board says patients can book appointments after a significant investment has been made and is working with surgeries on recruitment plans.

This comes after members of South Holland District Council highlighted concerns of patients struggling to get face-to-face appointments and cramped conditions at the local practices.

A spokesman for the ICB said: “Following significant investment, patients can now book telephone, online, or face to face appointments at their GP practice. Face to face appointments will be offered to patients if clinically appropriate.

“In the last 12 months, GP practices in Lincolnshire have provided a record 5,195,000 appointments (excluding covid vaccinations), 70% of appointments in September 2023 were face-to-face.

“Patients do not always need to see a doctor or nurse, and can now book appointments with a wide range of healthcare professionals at their GP practice, including clinical pharmacists, first contact physios, paramedics, etc.

“We would encourage all patients to accept an appointment when offered one, attend it or cancel it.

“The ICB is working with GP practices and Primary Care Networks to deliver the soon to be published Primary Care Access Recovery Plan.”

During the last performance monitoring panel meeting, members had also expressed concerns about the cramped conditions at Abbeyview Surgery in Crowland.

Coun Angela Harrison also stated that she had been told that one surgery had 1.5 doctors for 9,000 patients – but the ICB says ‘there aren’t any requirements on the number of GPs per patient.’

A spokesman said: “The ICB continue to engage with practices with smaller staff teams to support recruitment.

“The ICB has a Primary Care People Plan which sets out the approach to training, recruitment and retaining primary care workforce. The ICB is working with the Primary Care Network Alliance to maximise use of additional roles funding to recruit additional staff including clinical pharmacists, first contact physios, paramedics, etc.”

The ICB says it will be sending a representative to speak to the council committee.