Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to free up more GP appointments.

We know that patients are finding it harder than ever to see a general practitioner (GP), and we are committed to fixing this crisis in GPs.

Our plan to do so will require both investment and reform. Firstly, we will increase the proportion of funding for GPs in primary care, starting with a commitment to recruit over 1,000 newly qualified GPs through an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme. This will increase the number of GP appointments delivered, secure the future pipeline of GPs, and will take pressure off those currently working in the system.

Additionally, we will train thousands more GPs across the country, beginning with the training places set out in the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, which will be key in increasing GP capacity.