Urgent action is needed to avert a funding crisis which could result in some rural GP practices in North Yorkshire becoming unviable, county hall bosses say.
North Yorkshire County Council’s scrutiny of health committee has written to NHS chiefs warning that without swift action, some communities in rural areas could be left with inadequate local healthcare.
“We have great concern over the long term funding of GP services in North Yorkshire,” said committee chairman Coun Jim Clark. “It is essential GP practices are properly funded, particularly in rural areas.”
The concern arises out of the changes to the Minimum Practice Income Guarantee system, part of the financial framework which supports GP practices. Many doctors have voiced fears over the changes, Coun Clark has written to NHS England, the main body responsible for commissioning GP services, calling for urgent action to address the threat.
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