Streeting unveils family doctor vision

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A Labour plan to bring back the “family doctor” will prove impossible without massive improvements in recruitment, GP leaders have warned.

Labour shadow health secretary Wes Streeting has unveiled his proposals, saying that practices would be rewarded for enabling patients to see the same doctor routinely.

There would also be penalties levied on practices that failed to implement a named doctor policy, he said, writing for the Daily Telegraph.

This would “bring back the family doctor”, he said.

He added: “GPs value this relationship with their patients. Give GPs the tools to build a meaningful relationship with patients and more will stay in the job.”

He went on: “Patients are mainly told when their appointment will be and whether it will be in person, over the phone or via video, rather than choosing what works best for them. Why should someone who prefers to see their GP face to face have to make do with a phone call? A public service shouldn’t be telling the public ‘like it or lump it’.”