Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to support the recruitment and retention of GPs in Wellingborough constituency.

The Government is working with NHS England to increase the general practice (GP) workforce in England. This includes measures to boost recruitment, address the reasons why doctors leave the profession, and encourage them to return to practice. NHS England has made available a number of retention schemes, to boost the GP workforce.

We have increased the number of GP training places, and 2022 saw the highest ever number of doctors accepting a place in GP training, a record 4,032 trainees, up from 2,671 in 2014. Under the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, the number of training places will rise to 6,000 by 2031/32, with the first 500 new places available from September 2025.

Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) advises that it is working with GP colleagues to develop new models of care that will support the delivery of a sustainable primary care sector, and enhance opportunities for GPs to undertake portfolio careers, developing specialist skills. The ICB has appointed a dedicated GP Retention Lead who is responsible for exploring local issues and potential solutions, and who facilitates fellowship opportunities for new GPs to be mentored by more experienced GPs.