‘Only human’: overloaded GPs unable to support frail patients

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By Storm Newton, PA Media

GPs are unable to spend time assessing older people at risk of falls and medication errors as they are being “overloaded” with new priorities from NHS England, according to a report.

The health service has been “hyper-focused” on bolstering access to GPs, including through digital routes, MPs said.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warned the NHS must not become a “system turning its face away from older people” as it found GPs were “failing” to properly assess and support people living with frailty.

But Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, PAC chairman said NHS England needs to “take a long hard look” at what it expects of GPs, who are “only human”.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) said the report demonstrates that prioritising online access has intended consequences on the provision of care.

GPs are required by the GP contract to identify any patients aged over 65 who are living with moderate or severe frailty.