Government announces GP reform to “bring back family doctor”
Today, the Government announced plans it said would enable GPs to spend more time treating patients, with proposed reforms to general practice. These reforms aim to “bring back the family doctor” and remove red tape.
The Health and Social Care Secretary said an extra £889m - on top of the existing budget for general practice – was the biggest boost to GP funding in years. The proposals would “bring back the family doctor" by incentivising GPs to ensure patients most in need see the same doctor at every appointment. They will also reduce the number of performance targets GPs must meet, ensuring doctors can spend more time with their patients.
Responding to the announcement, our Chief Executive Louise Ansari said:
“Struggling to make a GP appointment is one of the top issues people share with Healthwatch. So, people will welcome this focus on strengthening support to GP teams, so they can get the local advice, treatment, prescriptions and referrals they need.
“As the NHS embarks on long-term reforms, its vital that short-term changes give people more choices over their care, more time to discuss their symptoms and lives in a safe space, and personalised support which works for them and their families.”
Want to find out more?
Read more about the proposed measures in the Government’s announcement.
