Speaking about the Public Accounts Committee report on access to general practice published today [Thursday 04 December 2025], NIGPC Chair Dr Frances O’Hagan said, “We welcome the publication of the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) report on Access to General Practice in Northern Ireland. The report sets out a comprehensive series of recommendations aimed at improving patient access, strengthening workforce planning, and driving innovation across the sector.

“I was grateful for the opportunity to give evidence to the PAC earlier this year and their reflection and recommendations echo many of the challenges and solutions we presented to them.

“The report’s findings highlight the urgent need for strategic action by the Department of Health to stabilise a sector in crisis, and contains clear calls for a new primary care strategy, better data on workforce and patient demand, and a renewed focus on the ‘patient’s voice’ in service design. We fully support these recommendations.

“We acknowledge the report’s comments on patients struggling to access their GPs and agree that the Department need to work with NIGPC to find a solution to these issues. The current access proposals from the Department are harming patient access, not working and will not have the outcome for patients they hope for.

“However, while the recommendations are robust and timely, it is vital to recognise that meaningful progress will only be possible if the issue of core funding for general practice is addressed. The report itself notes that current spending levels fall well short of what is required for full implementation of key programmes, such as multi-disciplinary teams, and that the sector faces significant pressures from rising demand and workforce challenges.

“We have consistently called for additional funding for core services in general practice, including addressing the long-standing inequity around indemnity payments. We want to be able to employ more GPs, more practice nurses and reception staff to provide the care we want to provide for our patients.

“Without sustained additional investment and a commitment to adequate core funding for general practice, the ambitions set out by the PAC risk being undermined. We urge the Department of Health and the Executive to work with us, prioritise funding for general practice as a foundation for delivering the improvements patients and practitioners urgently need.

“We look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure the PAC’s recommendations are implemented in full, and that general practice in Northern Ireland is placed on a stable, sustainable footing for the future.”

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Notes to editors

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