GPs will be able to spend more time treating patients under proposed reforms to general practice which will bring back the family doctor and slash red tape.
The proposals fall under the new GP contract for 2025/26, which is now out for consultation with the British Medical Association’s General Practice Committee to provide its feedback.
Backed by the biggest boost to GP funding in years – an extra £889m on top of the existing budget for general practice – the proposals would also bring back the family doctor by incentivising GPs to ensure patients most in need see the same doctor at every GP appointment.
The proposed measures would also reduce the number of outdated performance targets that GPs must meet, in a further step to reduce bureaucracy and ensure doctors can spend more time with their patients.
Health and Social Care secretary Wes Streeting said: “General practice is buckling under the burden of bureaucracy, with GPs filling out forms instead of treating patients.
“It is clear the system is broken, which is why we are slashing red tape, binning outdated performance targets, and instead freeing doctors up to do their jobs.
“We promised to bring back the family doctor, but we want to be judged by results – not promises. That’s why we will incentivise GPs to ensure more and more patients see the same doctor at each appointment.
“Through our Plan for Change, we are acting to fix the front door to the NHS and we have already started hiring an extra 1,000 GPs into the NHS.
“We are proposing substantial additional investment and greater flexibility to employ doctors so patients get better care. I call on GPs to now work with us to get the NHS back on its feet and end their collective action.”
Bringing back the family doctor and ending the 8am scramble for appointments were key manifesto commitments, and, through the government’s Plan for Change, action is being taken to deliver on those promises and get the NHS back on its feet.
Patients, including those with complex needs, long-term conditions, or the elderly would experience greater continuity of care under these proposals.
Hundreds more newly-qualified GPs and practice nurses are also set to be employed across the country under the proposals, with the government proposing to remove red tape and make funding available – under a scheme known as the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) – for more primary care staff to find roles in their community.
Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive, said: “Hard-working GP teams are delivering millions more appointments a month compared to before the pandemic, and it is vital they are given extra resources to improve access for patients and help people live healthier lives – with a renewed focus on preventing major killers, such as heart disease and strokes.
“General practice is the front door to the NHS – speaking to GPs and their teams, they are clear that embracing reform is key to improving patient experience and managing record demand.”
