Fewer fully trained GPs in Milton Keynes – despite government recruitment pledge​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The number of fully trained GPs working across Milton Keynes, Luton and Bedfordshire was less in November than 12 months earlier, new figures show.

The Government's 2019 manifesto pledged to recruit 6,000 more GPs by 2025, with the number of GPs across England dwindling since 2015.

The British Medical Association trade union said the GP workforce is in "crisis", and accused the Government of recruiting thousands of non-GP staff as a cheaper alternative.

NHS Digital figures show 395 full-time-equivalent fully trained GPs were working at surgeries in the former NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes CCG area in November – down from 404 the year before.

Nationally, there were 27,483 fully-trained GPs in England in November – a marginal increase from the 27,392 last November.

But in September 2015, the earliest available figures, there were 29,364, meaning almost 1,900 fully trained GPs have been lost over the last eight years.

Dr Julius Parker, deputy chair of the BMA's GP Committee for England, said: "There are no two ways about it, we are in the midst of a GP workforce crisis.

"We are having to do more with fewer resources and are being stretched to the limit, leaving patients frustrated that they cannot always access the care they need."

Dr Parker said people living longer means more GPs are needed to "provide the level of care that people deserve and we want to deliver", but accused the Government of recruiting cheaper non-GP staff as an alternative.

He added: "The Government must prioritise GP recruitment and retention, otherwise the NHS will continue to haemorrhage doctors, putting patient care and safety at risk."

Including the 9,825 GPs in the training grade, who are not yet fully qualified, as of November, the total number of GPs in England has risen by 1.8% in the last year to 37,308.

This is also above the 34,519 GPs registered in December 2019. However, the number of practice staff excluding GPs has risen by 2.6% in the last year, outstripping GP recruitment.

In Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, there were 540 full-time-equivalent doctors – up from 525 the year before.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Last year saw the highest-ever number of doctors accepting a place on GP training."