Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to take steps to reduce waiting times for GP appointments for people with suspected cancer symptoms.

The Government wants to make it easier and quicker for everyone to get the help they need from primary care. The Delivery Plan for Recovering Access to Primary Care, published on 9 May 2023, describes the implementation of a new Modern general practice access model, which will make it easier for everyone to contact their practice and make sure arrangements for care happen on the same day. This will ensure we move away from a ‘first come, first served’ approach towards a more equitable one that benefits all patients.

To help patients navigate the system faster, the plan also includes investment for a new National Care Navigation Training programme for up to 6,500 staff, starting in May 2023. This training programme will upskill these newer roles with a good understanding of local services and the expanded range of practice roles and the customer service skills to effectively direct patients based on their needs.