Does primary care need reform?

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an almost intolerable strain upon the NHS and its workforce, with the inevitable postponement of some treatments in an attempt to manage the unprecedented requirements of the pandemic. In England, there are 6 million people waiting for NHS care, including specialist mental health care, and referral to treatment (RTT) waiting times are growing ever longer, with 63% of patients waiting up to 18 weeks to commence hospital treatment (NHS England, 2022). Cancer treatments are being delayed, and patients are waiting longer in major accident and emergency departments (House of Commons, 2022). Levels of assurance in the ability to receive NHS care when needed has fallen, with 69% of a representative sample of 1005 adults aged 18 years and over from across the UK, who were interviewed in December 2021, reporting that they were not confident that they could get an appointment with a GP at a time when it was wanted (Ipsos, 2021).