Neighbourhood Health Services

Baroness Gerada Excerpts

Monday 7th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

We do not intend to bring forward the investment standard that the noble Baroness seeks. I am aware that a discussion is going on—probably as we speak—through the Health Bill, which is about to be introduced to your Lordships’ House. That is about increasing accountability and responsiveness to local needs and improving outcomes. I say to the noble Baroness that our fear is that bringing in yet another approach, through an investment standard, risks undermining that.

[Baroness Gerada (CB)]

My Lords, since 1948, successive Governments have shifted care into the community without a simultaneous shift of people, estates or money. We have just heard that general practice now receives its lowest share of the NHS budget for a decade. Will the Minister agree to address this so that GPs can deliver continuity of care, which we know improves access, reduces demand, improves outcomes and fundamentally delivers better value for money?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I say to the noble Baroness that that is what I feel the whole neighbourhood approach to the NHS is. As she is aware, it is about joining up around the person and bringing together teams, including GPs. It is important to acknowledge outcomes: we have delivered nearly 14 million additional appointments through GPs in the year to June 2026, and patient satisfaction is going up with GP access. We need to look at what the situation is as well as the concerns.