Pulse in the Press: Why Hunt’s pre-election promise of 5, 000 new GPs is a long way off

A Pulse investigation into the government's 5, 000 GP pledge has hit national news. ‘I can today confirm plans to train and retain an extra 5, 000 GPs, ’ health secretary Jeremy Hunt told cheering delegates at the Conservative party conference in 2014. However, analysis conducted by Pulse has concluded that if current trends continue, just 2, 100 new GPs will be delivered by 2020 in the best-case scenario. There are looming storm clouds that could knock even this optimistic projection off course. It does not factor in the harm done by the junior doctor contract dispute and any further damage to GP morale. It also assumes that more UK-trained GPs can be attracted from abroad – an unlikely prospect. Read the full story here.   This story has been covered by: Daily Mirror- Tories set to fail on pledge to recruit 5, 000 extra GPs, claim medics ITV News- Government aim to boost GP numbers by 5, 000 'wholly unrealistic' The Times- Failure to recruit more GPs raises safety fears Daily Mail- Ministers will fail to hire half of the GPs needed to offer evening and weekend appointments, warn experts Express: NHS crisis: GP figures spark safety fears as Government 'fails' in recruitment drive Back to news grid