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- Page navigation anchor for Sustaining existing general practices while building for the futureSustaining existing general practices while building for the future
Hutchinson et al give a very welcome detailed quantitative analysis of the consequences of the closure of 694 general practices in England. Every GP reading this article, their staff, and all our patients have an understanding of the qualitative aspects, unfortunately. It is particularly concerning that Practices with increased exposure to closure had a significantly greater proportion of their patients with increased income deprivation.
In Ireland, the ICGP Discussion Paper “Shaping the Future of General Practice” has outlined ten proposed medium to long-term solutions to the GP workforce and workload crisis.1 The Department of Health is undertaking a Strategic Review of General Practice which is to be completed this year.2 Measures have been taken to increase GP training numbers which hopefully will yield benefit in due course.
Pending awaited outcomes of all the above, the question remains how to support existing Practices at this time of crisis. It is essential, in order to minimise an escalation of earlier GP retirements or otherwise premature resignations, that the provision of appropriately resourced GP Locum service is no longer left unaddressed.3 This may often be the only way for existing GPs to obtain cover for leave including sickness, annual, and maternity.4 Inadequately addressing the needs of existing Practices for...
Competing Interests: None declared. - Page navigation anchor for Challenge and chance in the sustainability of rural community careChallenge and chance in the sustainability of rural community care
I have read, with great respect, the research titled “Consequences of the closure of general practices: a retrospective cross-sectional study.”1 The closure of general practitioners' clinics is critical for the sustainability of community care. As this article shows, deprived and rural clinics are suffering from the closure of general practice. Especially rural older patients are forced to be exposed to general practice closure, losing the satisfaction of primary care. The progression of this trend can impinge on the quality of primary care in rural contexts and should be intervened.
The continuity of care is vital for rural older patients. Rural older patients adhere to their primary care physicians.2 Although their firm adherence to their primary care physicians can burden them, physicians feel satisfaction working in rural contexts.2 However, as this article shows, financial burden may reduce rural primary care physicians’ motivation to practice if more clinics close continuously.1 Rural open clinics will be exposed to more burden and forced to close their clinics, causing a vicious cycle of deteriorating primary care quality.
Rural community care should be performed comprehensively by lasting healthcare providers post-COVID-19 pandemic. This study does not include the condition passing through the COVID-19 pandemic.1 Through the COVID-19 pandemic, the comprehensiveness of rural...
Show MoreCompeting Interests: None declared.