I RECENTLY had the pleasure of visiting Riverside Surgery in Bovey Tracey where I met Practice Manager Victoria Sheppard and a dedicated team of local GPs.

We discussed a range of issues affecting access to primary care and the daily realities for staff working under intense pressure.

It was an insightful conversation and I took away several action points which I will be following up.

General practice is where most of us first turn when something is not quite right with our health. GPs diagnose new conditions, manage long term illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, support people with anxiety and depression and pick up early signs of cancer so that treatment can start quickly.

Across England there are now well over 350 million GP appointments each year and surgeries are handling more complex cases as hospital waiting lists grow.

At Riverside I heard about the sheer variety of support that modern general practice provides. A single morning surgery might include a child with an ear infection, an older person needing a medication review, a carer struggling with stress and someone facing worrying new symptoms that require urgent investigation.

Many patients now see practice nurses, pharmacists and physiotherapists working alongside GPs, which helps free up time for doctors to focus on those who most need their expertise but the demands on GP time are significant nonetheless.

Despite these efforts it is clear that services are under very real strain. Nationally there are now roughly 2,000 patients for every fully qualified GP on average and in some parts of the country the figure is far higher, leaving doctors with less time with each person who comes through the door.

Devon compares relatively well with many regions but that does not mean everything is fine.

Our county tends to have slightly better GP coverage than some big urban areas, yet our large rural geography and older population create specific pressures.

Surveys of patient experience have in recent years placed Devon towards the top of the national tables for overall satisfaction with general practice, but residents still tell me about long waits on the phone and difficulties getting timely appointments.

I am very grateful to Victoria and her team for taking the time to share their experiences and ideas. Their commitment to caring for our community is deeply impressive and deserves proper backing from those making decisions at the centre.

I will continue to press for fair resources for Devon and for changes that make it easier for people across our constituency to get the help they need when they need it.

Facebook: Mel Stride MP X: @MelJStride Instagram: @melstridemp Website: www.melstridemp.com

Mel Stride

MP for Central Devon