Gransnet forums

News & politics

Published today - more money/time for GP practices

(22 Posts)
Wyllow3 Fri 20-Dec-24 14:28:40

GP reforms to cut red tape and bring back family doctor

The measures are backed by the biggest boost to GP funding in years, an extra £889m on top of the existing budget for general practice"

www.gov.uk/government/news/gp-reforms-to-cut-red-tape-and-bring-back-family-doctor

And to answer one obvious question - yes, part of the money will pay for increased rates of Employers NI contributions, but still considerable rises.

"Government consults with British Medical Association on measures including largest boost to GP funding in years and reducing outdated targets to free up time
Reforms are part of government’s Plan for Change to get more patients through the NHS front door and bring back the family doctor
Measures include substantial additional investment and greater flexibility to employ doctors, as Health Secretary vows to reform general practice
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. "

Doodledog Fri 20-Dec-24 14:31:30

Great news.

It should then be easier to attract new GPs, as many of them are fed up with the changes to the role, and will relish being able to spend more time doing the job they worked so hard to get into.

Pippa000 Fri 20-Dec-24 14:36:17

This appears to be just for GP practices in England. Here in Wales primary care seems to be missing any extra funding, and the system is on its knees.

GrannyGravy13 Fri 20-Dec-24 14:46:57

Hopefully the BMA will except the new contracts, if so it’s a light on the horizon.

nanaK54 Fri 20-Dec-24 14:46:58

Thank you Wyllow3 - can only be good news (well, hopefully)

Luckygirl3 Fri 20-Dec-24 14:55:48

Fingers crossed - it will take a while to filter through to the ground, but how good that there are moves in the right direction.

Chocolatelovinggran Fri 20-Dec-24 15:30:51

That is good news. Hopefully it will help with recruitment in the long term.

Iam64 Fri 20-Dec-24 16:25:45

It’s a good news day.

Aveline Fri 20-Dec-24 16:30:30

Just hope the Scottish government actually uses the money given for this to support Primary care.

Indigo8 Fri 20-Dec-24 16:36:46

Doodledog

Great news.

It should then be easier to attract new GPs, as many of them are fed up with the changes to the role, and will relish being able to spend more time doing the job they worked so hard to get into.

According to British Medical Association calculations, 1,500 newly qualified GPs are struggling to find work in cash-strapped practices.

escaped Fri 20-Dec-24 16:51:32

Hopefully that will improve the current situation.
I was having lunch with a friend from Belgium today. Her sister is a doctor in Bruxelles. We looked up some figures, there are 3.2 GPs there per 1,000 patients, whereas there are now only0.4 fully qualified GPs per 1,000 patients in England. Freeing doctors up to do their jobs will help, but training larger numbers in the first place is needed.

Iam64 Fri 20-Dec-24 16:54:29

Yes, we need to train more doctors. So much for the government to fund and manage

eazybee Fri 20-Dec-24 17:52:34

According to Companies House, each doctor at the local Practice earn £140,000 a year, and none works more than three days a week. Still trying to discover the name of the practice manager, who refuses to meet patients, or reveal his/her name.

Allira Fri 20-Dec-24 18:00:42

Indigo8

Doodledog

Great news.

It should then be easier to attract new GPs, as many of them are fed up with the changes to the role, and will relish being able to spend more time doing the job they worked so hard to get into.

According to British Medical Association calculations, 1,500 newly qualified GPs are struggling to find work in cash-strapped practices.

I did hear the other day that there are many qualified GPs but there were no jobs for them.
Let's hope this will help. Surely funding for Wales is included in this sum or on top?

At our practice there seem to be many nurses and an appointment at the surgery now usually means seeing a nurse or nurse practitioner, not a doctor.

Our GPs are all part-time, eazybee and there is not one male employee so if a man particularly wanted to see a male GP or nurse, it's not possible.

LizzieDrip Fri 20-Dec-24 18:13:14

Thanks for the thread Wyllow - excellent news. I wonder if it will be headline news (or even reported at all) in tomorrow’s press? We’ll seeconfused

theworriedwell Fri 20-Dec-24 18:18:06

I hadn't heard about that. Nice to have some good news. I think pharmacies need help as well, I picked up med today and it seemed quite chaotic with staff working overtime to try and get all the prescriptions out before Christmas.

I wish my GP would give me a prescription for more than one month, I have an underactive thyroid and have been on the same med for years. I used to get 3 months at a time but now have to get it every month. Just adds to the pharmacy workload as I'm sure it isn't just me.

Wyllow3 Fri 20-Dec-24 18:29:33

(Pretty sure NHS Wales completely separate and not therefore within the purview of Streeting)

Casdon Fri 20-Dec-24 18:41:00

You’re right Wyllow. However the financial allocation to the devolved nations will include the funding element to allow them to do similar if they choose to, or to spend on other elements of NHS care. .I'm in Wales, and luckily my GP practice is excellent, but many in the cities and deprived areas are struggling hugely with recruitment, just as they are in England so I’d expect similar announcements here soon.

Whitewavemark2 Fri 20-Dec-24 20:03:41

Yes, Streeting mentioned this a few weeks ago. The plan is beginning to come into action.

keepingquiet Fri 20-Dec-24 20:17:23

Went for BP check this morning. Arrived late due to catching delayed bus. Automatic check in not working. Had to get in queue, two people in front with complex enquires. One receptionist.
'Are you just checking in?' She asks. I say yes, give my name and told to sit down. There are around four people waiting but my name comes up pretty quick on the screen.
Nurse checks my BP. All well, she suggests I come back in six months.
I leave- it took all of ten minutes. Hope it is six months before I go back.

lixy Fri 20-Dec-24 20:21:26

Good news. Be a while before it filters through to results we can see in each practice but at least it’s a step in the right direction.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Fri 20-Dec-24 20:26:21

Such good news Wyllow.
I really do look forward to having our own designated doctor at the surgery. Continuity of care has been proven to give better outcomes. If this really does happen - thank you Labour! 🤞