Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to (a) increase the number of GP appointments available in line with local housing developments and (b) ensure an adequate number of GP appointments are available throughout winter 2021-22.
NHS England is committed to ensuring future funding and healthcare provision matches population growth and demographic changes, including local housing developments. The National Health Service funding formula reflects the Office for National Statistics’ population estimates and general practitioner (GP) registrations in a geography.
‘Our plan for improving access for patients and supporting general practice’ included an additional investment of £250 million through a Winter Access Fund. This aims to improve the availability of GP practices and increase the number of appointments, while also investing in technology to make it easier for patients to see or speak to their GP.