Food Banks: One In Six GP’s Say Patients Have Asked To Be Referred For Food Packages

UNEMPLOYED IN TYNE & WEAR

One in six GP’s say they have been directly approached by patients facing poverty and malnutrition asking to be referred to a food bank.

Pulse Magazine surveyed 552 family doctors. 16% said they had been asked by their patients, who were unable to afford feed themselves and their families, to be referred for food aid.

GP’s claim that the increased demand for food bank referrals from those who are in genuine need of assistance, particularly in the wake of welfare cuts and stagnant wages, is creating an “enormous workload issue”. This is in-turn is resulting in a “knock-on effect” in the ability of other patients to obtain appointments to see their doctor, GP’s claim.

Former Chair of the Royal College of GP’s, Professor Clare Gerada, said that poor people were being forced to jump through hoops to get help. She added:

“Poverty is an enormous workload issue and…

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