General Practice During the Pandemic

That the Parliament recognises that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic GP practices have remained open, and considers that staff have worked incredibly hard to continue to care for patients; understands that GPs and their practices were under pressure before COVID-19 and the pandemic has intensified workload pressures, and considers that GPs and their teams have worked beyond their limits over the last 20 months; believes that there should be support for a mixed model of face-to-face and remote consultations that best meets the needs of the individual patient; considers that this should be in line with what is possible given the available resources and what is deemed clinically appropriate, based on the judgement of GPs and their teams; recognises the need to follow ongoing infection control guidance, particularly in light of the threat posed by emerging COVID-19 variants, such as Omicron, and considers that, with winter pressures looming, there has never been a more critical time to ensure that the profession is properly resourced with a focus on boosting the workforce and retaining those already working in the profession, and is supported with clear, prominent and realistic public messaging to help manage demand.