Access to GPs Rural Communities 2023-10-17
2023-10-17
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
No specific event is mentioned, but the question relates to the adequacy of GP services in rural areas.
What recent assessment has been made of the level of access to GPs in rural communities?
Funding for general practice has increased by about a fifth since 2018, and workforce has grown by 30% with 2,000 extra doctors and 31,000 clinicians. This has enabled around 15% more appointments than before the pandemic. Specific measures include targeted recruitment schemes and funding formula elements that favour rural areas.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP has raised the case of Long Crendon Parish Council proposing to use land from planning gain to build a new surgery. Despite an agreement with Unity Health, funding is lacking and the integrated care board has said there is no money available.
I have repeatedly raised the specific case of an innovative model from Long Crendon Parish Council using land secured through planning gain to replace the closed Long Crendon Surgery. An agreement exists for Unity Health to provide services but no funding to build it. The Secretary of State has advised seeking funds from the integrated care board, which said there is none available. Will the Minister look at this innovative model again?
I will definitely examine that specific case. We are changing the national planning policy framework to facilitate developer contributions towards such projects. While there are more GP practices than in 2010, we continue to explore further improvements.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not commit to reviewing or funding the specific model for Long Crendon Surgery.
We Continue To Look At Ways To Go Further
Response accuracy