'Fed up' doctor leaves Shropshire medical practice with attack on state of health service

Dr David McDowell said a lack of funding and patients booking appointments they did not need was bringing the system to its knees.

He is leaving Bridgnorth Medical Practice – but said he wanted to let patients know the reasons why he was moving on.

The GP penned an open letter about his frustrations with the NHS and the difficulties for those working within it.

Dr McDowell claimed the proportion of total funds allocated by the NHS to GP surgeries had fallen by four per cent in the past six years.

He said: "It has left many practices struggling, with Bridgnorth Medical Practice being no exception. On top of this, there has been a 20 per cent increase in demand for patient consultations over the same period.

"GP practices cannot simply recruit more doctors and nurses to cope with this, as there aren't any out there who want to work in these conditions.

"Under these circumstances, patients cannot expect the same 'Dr Finlay' type of service that they might remember from 20 or 30 years ago.

"Practices are increasingly having to restrict provision strictly to what patients need, rather than what they want.

"For example, some folk appear to believe that home visits are an entitlement that anyone has if they are feeling a bit peaky, or don't have a car. They aren't.

"Others seem to believe that any condition, however minor, that affects a child, is automatically urgent. It isn't.

"Most of the children that GPs see are not particularly ill and will get better on their own.

"Although there are, of course, significant exceptions.

"GPs like myself are fed up with continuing against the odds and, like myself, are moving on or retiring in droves across the country.

"Patients deserve a decent health service, but it cannot be provided under these conditions."

Dr McDowell said he would continue to work as a doctor, helping by carrying out shifts with the county's Shropdoc service.