Health and Social Care Update Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Health and Social Care Update

Laura Trott Excerpts
Thursday 22nd September 2022

(1 year, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Thérèse Coffey Portrait Dr Coffey
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We are actually on track with getting the extra 50 million appointments already.

Laura Trott Portrait Laura Trott (Sevenoaks) (Con)
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I welcome the statement today. The majority of GPs—75%—now work part time. That is an understandable choice for them, but we need to be honest about the impact it is having on the availability of appointments and the cost of training. Will my right hon. Friend look at what she can do to address the barriers to more GPs working full time?

Thérèse Coffey Portrait Dr Coffey
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It is a choice for GPs whether they work part time or full time. I am conscious that some of the different things we are doing, including on pension flexibilities, should help, as should diverting people so that they do not have to go to GP appointments but can use pharmacies and other approaches.