Valerie asks a question in Covid-19 Update

On Monday 29 November 2021 the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid gave an update on Covid-19. I have heard from many constituents who are finding it difficult to access face to face  appointments with GPs. So I asked the Secretary of State:

“We have quite rightly praised the South African doctor, but she saw her patient face to face. What advice, guidance or instruction will the Secretary of State give to GPs? I know that my constituents are keen to see their GPs face to face, which may be more effective than Test and Trace.”

The Secretary of State responded: “The right hon. Lady asks an important question. One thing that we are doing is updating guidance throughout the NHS, including for primary care.”

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) indicated that more people are turning to A&E and ambulance services owing to a lack of access to GPs. The research says that groups who struggle with remote appointments in particular, such as older people, those with disabilities and families on low incomes, were more likely to use emergency services because of a lack of face to face appointments.