The BMA is inviting MPs to visit general practices in their constituencies to see how the NHS operates locally and to talk to practice staff about their priorities and concerns.Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East, Emma Reynolds took up a suggestion by Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA’s General Practitioners Committee, to spend time in a local practice to find out how general practice works in their area. Emma also took part in the same GP visit scheme in July 2010, during which over 150 MPs visited their local surgery.

The initiative is part of a campaign to help GPs in England talk to patients about the current issues affecting the NHS and the future of general practice. The campaign also includes a website, www.changingnhs.com, which describes the changes to the NHS in England and to the GP contract and the debate about out of hours services.

Laurence Buckman said that general practice was facing a “testing time” as it dealt with the introduction of clinical commissioning groups, changes to the GP contract, and pressure on out of hours services. “GPs feel that our patients aren’t getting the real story about what is happening in the NHS, which is why the BMA is launching this initiative,” he said. “In a turbulent world it is vital that GPs play a key role in giving patients the information they need about how their NHS is changing.”

After the visit, Emma said: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit the GP’s surgery on Woden Road, Heath Town in my constituency.”

“I met with GPs, the practice manager, nurses and administrative staff. I am concerned about the change from the PCT to Clinical Commissioning Groups. There has been some disruption caused by this major change. I hope, however, that patients won’t be affected by these changes. I know that the dedicated staff at the Woden Road practice are determined not to let that happen.”

“It was a particularly pleasant surprise that the lead GP on my visit was a friend that I went to primary school with in Wolverhampton who I had not seen for around 25 years.”

August 2013