NHS GP Surgeries: Purchase by US Companies Debate

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Department: Department of Health and Social Care

NHS GP Surgeries: Purchase by US Companies

Lord Patel Excerpts
Monday 5th June 2023

(1 year, 5 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Markham Portrait Lord Markham (Con)
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This is absolutely the work that the Treasury is doing at the moment. Noble Lords have asked, many a time, when it is coming out. I think people will understand that part of the delay is making sure that, when the plan does come out, it really does work.

Lord Patel Portrait Lord Patel (CB)
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My Lords, what does the Minister think is the main reason that general practitioners might be leaving the NHS to work in the private sector?

Lord Markham Portrait Lord Markham (Con)
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My understanding is that it is a range of issues, clearly including workload, pay and conditions. We are trying to address those; I think the change in the pensions rule has been generally welcomed in terms of encouraging more doctors to stay on in place. But it is a range of those measures—again, all things we are hopefully addressing through the new training and skills programmes, and the long-term workforce plan.