GP surgeries hazardous to your health

Stephen Hayward writing in the Sunday Mirror – Going to see your GP could be bad for your health, according to research.

One in 10 surgeries is so rundown it poses a risk to patients. Problems include leaky roofs, asbestos, unsuitable disabled access and breaches of fire regulations.

Researchers Cogora also found that more than half don’t have enough room to house badly needed staff.

In all, 10 per cent of 270 practices which responded said they were “aware of problems that could be hazardous to health”.

Dr Richard Vautrey, of the British Medical Association, said: “It’s a real concern that the lack of investment has left so many GPs worried that their practice premises could pose a safety risk.”

The Department of Health says it has set aside £1billion to modernise GP buildings.

“It’s a shame a ‘modernisation’ of our health service didn’t start years ago, to avoid the state it’s in now”