BMA GP committee chair Dr Katie Bramall said:
“Today’s announcement of a 3% rise for the Department of Health in the Government’s spending review defines the NHS budget until the next election – but of critical importance is determining how that budget will be spent through allocations in the coming weeks, which will make or break general practice.
“Speaking with the minister (Stephen Kinnock), I was heartened by his commitment to see through Government promises to shift resources into care closer to home, marking a fundamental reset in terms of how the NHS operates strategically, operationally, and financially - the only solution to save the NHS.
“Well over a half of NHS patient contact each year resides inside the 6,300 GP surgeries across England1, yet there is a worryingly high number of GPs facing unemployment –– whilst practices lack the resources to hire additional GPs. We need to see significant additional investment alongside the much-feted new GP contract promise to fix the front door to the NHS, including a national GP retention strategy; pay restoration for salaried GPs; resource to fund better terms for practice nurses; a marked expansion in GP training numbers; and a focus on academic GPs.
“This is not a quick-fix, but Mr Streeting’s single opportunity after fifteen years of damaging under-funding, to see sustained investment to secure the long-term future of general practice.”
Notes to editors
- King’s Fund analysis
- The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.