A chronic shortage of doctors in Wanstead has prompted calls for immediate funding and more accommodation in a bid to prevent the situation getting out of hand.

Identified as a "significant problem" by David Kelly, chair of Redbridge Primary Care Trust, the number of physicans in the area is well below national standards.

Wanstead has an average of one doctor per 2,000 patients, compared with the national recommendation of one per 1,500.

The problem is so acute in some areas that the Sinha practice in Aldersbrook Road has 3,160 patients on its books and is serviced by a single GP. And while the PCT has promised that should cash become available to provide extra doctors it will be allocated to them, GPs and pharmacists say the money should be found now if struggling doctors are to cope with an ever growing patient list.

Dr Elizabeth Ashley, who works at the Ashley, Amini and Hutchings practice in the High Street, said: "We do have a problem here. Our practice alone means we have only one full-time doctor for 2,000 patients.

"The area also has to cope with a high number of elderly people among its patients, so the care is more long-term.

"We have had to close our list several times, because it was just not possible to take on any more."

The shortage of doctors in the area has also been blamed on the increasing population that is moving into Wanstead.

Dr Ali Mashadi, who owns the Wanstead Pharmacy and Post Office, said: "New buildings and flats being built and the fact that Wanstead is a popular place to live, has meant we're short of GPs.

"And while GPs here are only too happy to bring new partners to their practices they need the funds to do so.

"The problem is that there is just no money to do this. The primary care trust has said it will try and find the money, but it needs to happen soon.

"It seems that money can be put to other things, but not to providing more doctors when we need them."

April 27, 2003 13:30