Labour MP for Hull East, Karl Turner, has backed the Government’s plans to make it easier to see a GP.
The ‘return of the family doctor’ was a significant part of the ‘Build an NHS fit for the future’ chapter in the Labour Party’s manifesto at last year’s election. In December, this commitment was reaffirmed in reforms set out in the Government’s Plan for Change.
Backed by a £889 million boost in funding, under new measures, GPs will be able to spend more time treating patients. The proposed measures would also reduce the number of ‘outdated performance targets’ that GPs must meet, in a further step to ‘reduce bureaucracy and ensure doctors can spend more time with their patients.’
The proposals are a part of the new GP contract for 2025/26 which is currently in the consultation phase.
The plans, which seek to end the infamous ‘8am scramble’ for GP appointments, have been welcomed by Mr Turner who has said: “When I knock on doors in our local area, I hear time and time again the difficulty that residents have in making a GP appointment and how important the front door to our NHS is to them and their families.
Karl Turner, Labour MP for Hull East
(Image: Karl Turner / Labour Party)
“I promised residents in East Hull that we would help bring back the family doctor and I’m delighted to see proposals that would deliver on that promise.”
The Government will consult with the British Medical Association on their proposed reforms before the new GP contract is unveiled in the Spring.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “General practice is buckling under the burden of bureaucracy, with GPs filling out forms instead of treating patients. It is clear the system is broken, which is why we are slashing red tape, binning outdated performance targets, and instead freeing doctors up to do their jobs.
“We promised to bring back the family doctor, but we want to be judged by results – not promises. That’s why we will incentivise GPs to ensure more and more patients see the same doctor at each appointment.
“Through our Plan for Change, we are acting to fix the front door to the NHS and we have already started hiring an extra 1,000 GPs into the NHS.
“We are proposing substantial additional investment and greater flexibility to employ doctors so patients get better care. I call on GPs to now work with us to get the NHS back on its feet and end their collective action.”
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