Experts at the Health Foundation estimated GPs in poorer areas received around 7 per cent less money per patient than less deprived parts of the country once the increased workload and need of patients in poorer areas was factored in.
Poorer areas of England are being less well served by GPs who are struggling to cope with a shortages of doctors and less funding per patient than those in wealthier areas, it has emerged.
In a new analysis by the Health Foundation think tank, shared with The Independent, people living in the most deprived communities are less likely to have an appointment with a GP with nurses substituting for doctors in some areas.
Doctors working in the most deprived communities will on average be responsible for the care of almost 10 per cent more patients than a GP serving patients in more affluent areas, the analysis found.
Per 100,000 people there were 45 GPs serving the most deprived areas compared with almost 49 in the least deprived areas.
Dr Rebecca Fisher, senior policy fellow at the Health Foundation and a practising GP said: “People living in poorer areas have greater healthcare needs, but GP practices serving our most deprived communities are underfunded and under-doctored.
“If this government is serious about tackling health inequalities it has to address inequalities of provision in general practice – the front door of the NHS. That means making sure that much needed extra GPs work in under-doctored areas and reviewing funding for general practice to make sure that money is being allocated in proportion with need.”
The independent charity analysed GP practices between 2015-16 and 2018-19 looking at workforce data, funding and appointments. The researchers considered the data alongside information on deprived neighbourhoods each with approximately 1,500 residents.
