THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset
19th January 2022
Issue 713
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GP surgeries feeling the strain of COVID-19 The strain on GP surgeries caused by increasing demand
short staffed across the
and staff shortages was laid bare last week by the
spectrum of clinical and
executive partner of a local practice.
non-clinical
Dr Paul Taylor, from Hanham Health, wrote to patients
current situation, where
advising that appointments will no longer be booked in
absences are at a peak due
advance as the surgeries in Hanham and Oldland Common
to the Omicron variant, has
struggle to maintain a service with staff off sick and the
come at a time of increased
increasing pressures of supplying COVID-19 vaccinations.
winter pressures and pent-
Claiming never to have seen such a situation in his 30 years
up ‘routine’ demand due to
in general practice, Dr Taylor told patients: “The current
the ongoing pandemic.
situation of staff shortages and last-minute absences makes
“The situation is worsening.
it impossible for us to offer a ‘normal’ service. Already
We are doing our absolute
overstretched reception and admin staff are spending hours
best to meet the demand
ringing patients to cancel pre-booked appointments.
with our limited resources.
“As in every practice across the country, we are severely
In addition, staff have
staff.
The
worked extra hours to deliver
the
vaccination Many
COVID programme.
worked
most
weekends, as well as extra
The Hanham Health surgery in Whittucks Road
weekday shifts, in December to meet the government target
future will be operating a ‘book on the day’ system for all
to offer boosters to all adults before 31st December. We did
non-nursing/healthcare assistant appointments. Dr Taylor
this but I am sorry to say that this week we had 784 un-
says that on some days they have only had one person
booked booster appointments. Many of these were offered
available to answer the phones.
due to staff working extra but also cancelling booked clinics.
“We are all exhausted. You are understandably frustrated. We
I urge you to book a vaccine/ booster if you are yet to have
are getting used to shortages of teachers, delivery drivers,
one.”
and train staff amongst others, causing everyday difficulties.
In line with other surgeries Hanham Health suspended its
The NHS, including general practice, is experiencing the
eConsult programme over Christmas and for the foreseeable
same problems but with a relentless increase of demand. We are overstretched and we are having to make difficult decisions.”
Also in this week’s issue
Council climate expert slams waste-to-energyplant . . . page 3
Play equipment damaged by dogs . . . page 5
New bridge for Keynsham park next year? . . . page 7
More bus services under threat . . . page 12