Dear Patients,

We do understand the frustrations felt by patients accessing their local GP surgery and we are working hard to accommodate the increased level of demand. Aylesbury GPs have a close working relationship and regularly meet to discuss local challenges. Each surgery is experiencing challenging and growing strain with declining GP numbers, a significant rise in demand, a struggle to recruit and retain staff and a huge increase in new registrations from local housing developments.  

We have never been busier. Nationally, over 26 million appointments were undertaken in August 2022 which was 3 million more than in August 2019 during pre-pandemic levels. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/appointments-in-general-practice/august-2022 . GP appointment bookings reached record highs over the winter of 2021/22, and we are bracing ourselves for an even busier Winter 2022/23.

General Practice is experiencing more personalised attacks on social media. Practice staff appreciate that illness brings anxiety and fear and therefore understand the frustration caused by the delays in accessing care. The majority of people who need support from NHS staff do so in a respectful way that helps us create a safe environment for all. Sadly, there are a very small minority who are abusive towards NHS staff. The NHS has a zero tolerance policy towards this. Abuse and intimidation are never acceptable and has led to the loss of vital members of staff.

We are grateful for your patience and understanding of the pressures facing the NHS as we continue to tackle the enormous health challenges put forth by the COVID Pandemic. Please remember you can help us in many ways by using the NHS App to view test results, order prescriptions, obtain lifestyle advice and cancel appointments.  Pharmacy first offer consultations for some minor ailments.

Please let your MP know of the issues you are experiencing. The crisis facing General Practice is bigger than just our local practices, it a national issue affecting everyone.

Thank you for your support.

Dr Phil Clayton and Dr Emma Montague
Berrycroft Community Health Centre

Dr Sajid Zaib      
Oakfield Surgery

Dr Juliet Sutton
Poplar Grove Practice

Ratish Pillai         
The Mandeville Surgery              

Dr Alexandra Bates
Westongrove Partnership (Bedgrove, Aston Clinton and Wendover)

Dr Graham Jackson
Whitehill Surgery

This statement has been developed giving a clear statement for patients and public that after-care for two years after privately-funded surgery cannot be provided or arranged by GPs and must be purchased by the patient.

All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings (e.g. average) for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice.

The average pay for GPs working in the Poplar Grove Practice in the last financial year before tax and National Insurance was £61,242 This is for 2 full time GPs, 14 part time GPs, and 1 locum GPs who worked in the practice for more than 6 months. 2023/24 

It should be noted that the prescribed method for calculating earnings is potentially misleading because it takes no account of how much time doctors spend working in the practice, and should not be used to form any judgement about GP earnings, nor to make any comparison with any other practice.