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A vehement warning has been issued by a General Practitioner (GP) regarding the potential migration of NHS doctors to the private sector. Dr. John Diamond, a dedicated GP serving the community in Magherafelt for over two decades, expressed profound discontent over the chronic underfunding and overwhelming workloads plaguing the industry. In a scathing letter directed at Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, Dr. Diamond highlighted the precarious state of general practice and cautioned about a looming exodus towards private healthcare.
The discontent among GPs was further exacerbated by a recent move by Nesbitt where he imposed a controversial funding package that was met with resounding rejection from the GPs. Despite offering an additional £9.5m in funding to GPs, Nesbitt expressed disappointment over the British Medical Association’s recommendation to reject the proposal. An overwhelming 99.6% of participating GPs voted against the offer, underscoring the deep-seated concerns within the medical community.
Dr. Diamond, who practices at Garden Street Surgery and Bellaghy Medical Centre, emphasized the pivotal role general practice plays in the larger healthcare landscape by stating, “when general practice goes, the NHS goes.” He lamented the emergence of an unequal healthcare system in Northern Ireland, delineated by economic disparities and prolonged waiting times for treatment. Dr. Diamond attributed the systemic issues to the inadequacies in decision-making by politicians, thereby intensifying the urgency for reforms within the healthcare sector.
The Department of Health responded to the escalating crisis by acknowledging the impasse in reaching a consensus on the 2025/26 General Medical Services (GMS) contract. While expressing regret over the deadlock in negotiations, the department reiterated its commitment to ensuring the sustainability of general practice. Despite the department’s assertion that the £9.5m contract offer represents a substantial investment in core GP services, GPs like Dr. Diamond continue to advocate for a more comprehensive and equitable healthcare system that caters to the evolving needs of practitioners and patients alike
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