News

Statement responding to LMC evidence to Health Select Committee

Commenting on reports about evidence from Londonwide LMCs to the Health Select Committee as part of their enquiry into GP pressures, a spokesperson for NHS England (London) said:

“General practice is the foundation of the NHS and we understand the pressure on GPs. We are working hard with our partners, including the RCGP, on a range of initiatives to support GPs. This includes increasing GP numbers, reducing bureaucracy and using the skills of other health care professionals, such as community pharmacists, to ensure high-quality, and, above all else, safe, patient care. In addition, there will be £34.5 million worth of support for more than 200 practices in the capital to improve their premises over the next financial year and Prime Minister Challenge Fund pilot schemes in 16 boroughs to offer access for patients 8am to 8pm, seven days week.”

 Background

  • NHS England is investing £1bn over four years (from 2015/16) in a primary care infrastructure fund, with £10million being used to kick start the initiatives in the GP workforce action plan, developed by NHS England, Health Education England, the Royal College of General Practitioners and the BMA GP committee. This complements work that is already underway to strengthen the GP workforce. Full details are available to view.  For London, NHS England is supporting in 15/16 over 200 premises schemes requested by GP practices valued at £34.5 million from the infrastructure fund together with £4m of improvement grant monies. London has secured Prime Minister Challenge Fund pilot monies to offer 8-8, 7 day access to patients in 16 boroughs.
  • NHS England has launched a new £15m scheme to fund, recruit and employ clinical pharmacists in GP surgeries. The scheme is an important part of the New Deal for General Practice and is the result of close collaborative work with Royal College of General Practice, the BMA’s General Practice Committee, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Health Education England.
  • NHS England has commissioned landmark studies to identify ways to reduce bureaucracy for practices and release more clinical time for patients. The results will be published in the autumn, supported by practical guides for commissioners and practice and a series of workshops with the profession.
  • NHS England has set up a new nationally-specified occupational health service for those GPs who may need additional support, in partnership with the Royal College of GPs and BMA General Practitioners Committee.  It will be supported by specialist services for doctors, and will build on those which have been successfully developed by the London Practitioner Health Programme (funded by CCGs in and around London) and MedNet, a service provided by South London and Maudsley NHS Trust and the Tavistock.

One comment

  1. Penelope Jarrett says:

    This is tinkering at the edges. If the core contract is underfunded the system will eventually collapse. Maybe this is the intention?