GPS will get a £250million boost this winter — as long as they see more patients face-to-face.
The NHS cash injection was announced yesterday amid rising anger that people can’t get in-person appointments.
2
Surgeries will get money to boost capacity — but only if they accept patients’ visit requests and hit targets, NHS England said.
The move will also allow surgeries to pay locum doctors, physiotherapists and specialists to come in and help cut waiting times.
NHS CEO Amanda Pritchard said: “Improving access to high quality general practice is essential for our patients.
“NHS England is taking both urgent and longer term action to back GPs and their teams with additional investment and support.”
GPs claim it is still not safe to bring vulnerable patients back into clinics and that they can get through more appointments over the phone or video calls.
But Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “I am determined to ensure patients can see their GP in the way they want, no matter where they live.”
2
