GPs 'not spending enough time with patients'

By Marianne Straker, Fri 4 Jun 2010 - Published in Life Insurance

Doctors have less time to see their patients than they did five years ago, a new study has shown.

In research that may concern life insurance customers, Aviva UK Health found that 57 per cent of GPs have seen the amount of time they have to spend with patients fall.

The poll revealed that 89 per cent of doctors would like to spend 20 minutes with each patient, but current practice schedules them just ten minutes per case.

In addition, half said this has compromised their performance, while 43 per cent claim it is affecting their ability to diagnose easily.

Dr Hugh Laing, practising GP and chief medical officer at Aviva UK Health, commented: "We urge the new coalition government to support and work with GPs to ensure delivery of the right care for patients."

Last month, Aviva research found that 78 per cent of UK employees would consider returning to work while still ill because of money worries.

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