ACCORDING to statistics from NHS Digital, there are fewer fully qualified and training GPs in the Morecambe Bay area than last year. 

In November, there were 226 full-time equivalent GPs in what was the NHS Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area. The CCG used to manage GPs but has now been rationalised into Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB). 

Of these 226 GPs, 55 were in training, meaning just 171 were fully qualified. This is three fewer than a year before. 

On top of this, in Morecambe Bay, the number of GPs in the training grade fell from 62 to 55, which bucked the national 10.8 per cent rise in training GPs in the 12 months to November.  

In a rural county with a sparsely populated population, issues around GP recruitment came to a head in the summer with concerns over the viability of Ambleside and Hawkshead surgeries after Dr Paul Davies, Dr Kaye Ward and Dr Paula Cook resigned their contract. 

READ MORE: Hawkshead surgery reassures patients after resignations

In response to questions about GP recruitment, Dr Peter Gregory, associate medical director for Primary Care at the ICB said: "Recruiting and retaining GPs within Lancashire and South Cumbria continues to be a key priority and there are a number of initiatives that NHS England have developed.  

"This includes the new Partnership Payment Scheme which aims to grow the number of partners working in primary care and the General Practice Fellowship Programme which supports all newly-qualified GPs in their transition from training to employment. 

“GPs also have access to the national GP Career Support Hub which provides information, guidance and support on career development.  

“We want GPs to have fulfilling, rewarding and challenging careers in general practice."

Dr Kieran Sharrock, from the British Medical Association England, said: "Rather than piling on more pressure, the Government needs to show it is taking this dire workforce situation seriously and encourage more family doctors to stay in the profession when our communities need them most."

The Department for Health and Social Care said it is "incredibly grateful" to GPs for their hard work.

A spokesperson said at least £1.5 billion will be invested to create an additional 50 million appointments by 2024.