A new GP contract aimed at improving patient access has been unveiled, marking what officials are calling a "breakthrough moment" for the NHS. This initiative is set to end the traditional "8 am scramble" to book appointments with doctors and streamline the process for patients seeking medical care.
The new contract, negotiated between the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Government, includes substantial funding increases to support general practices and improve the patient experience. Health Secretary Wes Streeting proudly announced, "This is a breakthrough moment that's going to deliver real results for patients." He emphasized the need for patients to book appointments more easily, stating it is time to bring the NHS "into the 21st century".
One significant amendment to the contract will require all GP practices to allow patients to request appointments online during working hours starting from October 2025. This system is expected to alleviate the burden on phone lines, particularly for elderly patients and those who cannot book appointments online. This change builds on pilot systems some GP practices have already implemented across the country.
Under the new framework, GP teams will be able to triage and prioritize patient appointments based on medical need. Some patients may be offered urgent face-to-face consultations, whereas others with less immediate needs may receive phone consultations initially. Streeting explained, "We’ve almost halved the number of targets and measures they're accountable to deliver, which frees up more of their time to do what they enjoy most - seeing and treating patients." This approach aims to facilitate continuity of care, allowing patients to see the same GP at each visit and not repeat their medical histories.
The financial aspect of this contract is significant, with the Government pledging nearly £889 million more for NHS England's General Practice funding. This 7.2% increase is larger than the overall NHS funding growth rate and aims to reverse the trend of previous years where GP funding had lagged. Streeting indicated, "Funding for GPs has been cut relative to the rest of the NHS, and the number of targets for GPs has soared." He noted this is why patients have faced challenges securing appointments.
Dr. Amanda Doyle, NHS England’s national director for primary care and community services, added her support for the new contract stating, "This is the first time four years the GP contract has been accepted as proposed... I hope it will be seen as positive for practices, primary care networks, and patients." The reforms are part of the broader Plan for Change aimed at making general practice fit for the future.
Following extensive discussions, the contract outlines several key reforms intended to lessen the workload for GPs. Notably, the Government has decided to strip back what has been termed “red tape.” This includes the removal of 32 specific administrative targets, allowing doctors to spend more time engaging directly with patients.
Dr. Katie Bramall-Stainer, chair of the BMA’s GP Committee for England, expressed cautious optimism about the contract. She remarked, "The green shoots of recovery will be seen when we start to see a fall in the numbers of practices being forced to close... The changes mark a turning point. Patients have endured years of chronic underfunding with long waits to see GPs." She stressed the importance of continued investment and meaningful reforms to maintain the NHS's accessibility.
With the introduction of clearer guidelines through the online Patient Charter, patients will gain insight on what to expect from GP practices post-contract implementation. All practices are mandated to maintain online consultation capabilities during core hours for non-urgent requests, which will encourage equitable access across various demographics. Further, the changes promote neighborhood health services by increasing the recruitment of more GPs and practice nurses to accommodate the growing patient population.
The Government anticipates these amendments will lead to efficiency improvements within various healthcare segments, easing pressures on A&E and creating accessible care within local communities. "Rebuilding the broken NHS starts with GPs," Streeting reiterated, confident this contract could pave the way for restored satisfaction and trust among patients.
With the announcement of increased funding and collaborative engagement from the government with GP representatives, there is deemed hope for the family doctor’s role to be revitalized. The anticipated improvements are especially encouraging for those who frequently struggle to gain timely access to appointments. People will be able to see their regular GP, eliminating the need to recount their medical conditions to different doctors during each visit, and ensuring continuity of care.
The timing of these reforms coincides with the urgent calls to boost the number of practicing GPs and other healthcare professionals to positively shift the current stats of frustrated patients often left waiting too long for necessary appointments. Streeting assured the nation, over "900 additional GPs have been recruited since Labour came to power last summer." Despite optimism, he cautioned there would still be issues to tackle concerning appointment availability but expects gradual improvements over the coming year.
Success here will depend on the effectiveness of these changes and whether new policies can truly turn the tide on years of dissatisfaction within general practice. The Government’s commitment to improve access and rebuild the NHS through this new GP contract appears to be the first step toward addressing the chronic challenges faced by healthcare providers, aiming to restore public trust and service efficiency.