A North Yorkshire GP has called for 'reform, innovation and change' as the NHS reaches its 75 year anniversary.

Despite regularly being mentioned as Britain's most beloved institution the health service is widely recognised to be in crisis.

At each election all political parties promise to fund it more than ever but medical practitioners paint a bleak picture.

A GP, who wished to remain anonymous, described the various factors from funding to staff retention which are putting strain on the service.

They said: "Overall the population is growing and getting older so the pressure on the NHS is increasing too. 

"The funding we receive doesn't match that demand.

"We are seeing more experienced GPs and doctors retiring early because of the pressures put on them.

"The stress has got much worse in recent years. There are so many changes implemented in the different systems of healthcare that you never know what change is coming next.

"It looks like soon we might be returning to having funds paid directly to each GP surgery.

"Politicians can say that the difficulties we are facing are because of the pandemic but it was getting pretty unmanageable before then too.

"The state of the NHS will be a political issue at the next election but things can only get better.

"The situation is just as bad for the people I know that work in hospitals.

"They are all struggling with resources and there is a general lack of beds.

"The NHS needs reform, innovation and change."

Despite the challenges facing the service the people working there are working harder than ever to make it work.

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The GP added: "The NHS was designed to be free at point of contact, I think that model is fabulous.

"I never want us to see us going down the same route as the US.

"Overall, there needs to be more funding. 

"The NHS is still considered to be essential but there is a separation between that popularity and the reality for doctors, nurses and other NHS workers.

"I love my job and despite the difficulties I will continue to do the best I can."