GP Services Melton and Syston 2025-10-30

Opened the debate

Thank you for calling me, Madam Deputy Speaker, and through you I thank Mr Speaker for granting this important Adjournment debate. General practice is in many ways the gateway to the NHS for our constituents but faces challenges such as the impact of the pandemic, ageing population, increased housing development without sufficient infrastructure provision, administrative pressures on GPs, and lack of timely access to appointments. In Melton Mowbray specifically, the Latham House medical practice has over 36,000 patients on its books with waits for appointments ranging from six to ten weeks. The integrated care board's decision to pause plans for a second GP practice until 2027 is deeply disappointing and may run into something more permanent. There are clear remaining needs for increased provision despite the ICB's arguments regarding insufficient increases in new registrations and section 106 payments.

Government Response

I thank Edward Argar MP for securing this debate on GP services in Melton and Syston, and I recognise the significant challenges faced by general practice. The Government acknowledges the importance of general practice as the gateway to NHS care. While section 106 payments may not be sufficient, we are committed to exploring alternative funding options such as social care funding or capital grants to support new GP surgeries. We have already invested £2 billion over five years in primary and community care services and will continue to prioritise GP services. The decision by the ICB to pause plans for a second practice is regrettable but necessary due to financial constraints. However, we are committed to working with local partners to find alternative solutions and ensure timely access to appointments. Acknowledged the right hon. Member Edward Argar’s concerns regarding GP provision and access in Melton Mowbray and Syston. Emphasised the Government's commitment to addressing these challenges through targeted investments such as £160 million for the additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS) to recruit over 2,500 new GPs across England, and a £102 million primary care utilisation and modernisation fund to create additional clinical space in GP practices. The Minister also mentioned reforms like extending access to GP online services throughout core hours and incentivising improved continuity of care for patients with chronic illness. He reassured that the Government is working collaboratively across Departments, such as with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, to ensure necessary healthcare services are available in growing areas. The Minister provided specific details about improvements in Melton Mowbray, including additional GPs recruited through ARRS, increased use of online GP services, and digital health initiatives like virtual wards that have saved thousands of bed days. He committed to further action on the development of a new primary care facility in Melton Mowbray by exploring options with local authorities and considering it as a potential site for a neighbourhood health centre. The Minister stated that the Government are firmly committed to supporting general practice. They highlighted significant strides made since coming into office a year ago, including engagement with colleagues in the profession and discussions on the future of general practice. The minister emphasised the importance of ensuring every patient has access to necessary care and pledged to continue working constructively towards this goal. The Government’s efforts are geared towards rebuilding the NHS through community-based services primarily through general practice, placing power back into patients’ hands. They acknowledged the hard-working staff in GP practices and committed to making their working lives easier and more fulfilling.