Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to Primary Care

Tuesday 7 March 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Real-terms spending on general practice has increased by more than a fifth since 2015.
  • There are now 2,200 more doctors in primary care and an additional 25,000 primary care clinicians compared to 2019.
  • Walk-in centres are considered a key part of primary care and are being evaluated for expanded roles.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Paulette Hamilton Lab Birmingham Erdington
NHS
Context

The question arises from concerns about the number of qualified GPs and long wait times for GP appointments.

Question

What steps are being taken to improve patient access to primary care? The number of qualified GPs has fallen to a record low, impacting local communities. In January, more than 2,000 people in Erdington, Kingstanding, and Castle Vale had to wait over a month for a GP appointment.

Answer from Neil O'Brien

Real-terms spending on general practice has increased by more than a fifth since 2015. There are now 2,200 more doctors in primary care and an additional 25,000 primary care clinicians compared to 2019. The number of GPs in training is at its highest ever level, up from 2,600 to 4,000. In January, there were 11% more appointments than before the pandemic.

Answered
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Q2 Paulette Hamilton Lab Birmingham Erdington
NHS
Context

The question is raised in the context of a decline in the number of qualified GPs and long wait times for appointments.

Question

Under the Tories, the number of qualified GPs has fallen to a record low, impacting local communities. In January, more than 2,000 people in Erdington, Kingstanding, and Castle Vale had to wait over a month for a GP appointment. Will longer waits continue under Tory leadership?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

There are 2,200 more doctors and an additional 25,000 primary care clinicians in practice now compared to 2019. In the constituency of the hon. Member, there are 55% more staff working directly with patients than before.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures to address GP shortages and waiting times were not detailed

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Q3 Chloe Smith Con
NHS
Context

The question relates to the use of walk-in centres as part of a broader strategy for primary care access during GP and A&E service pressures.

Question

Does the Minister agree that walk-in centres, such as those in Norwich city centre, are helpful, popular, and necessary?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right; walk-in centres are a key part of primary care. We are looking at how they can do more, and I pay tribute to all the work they are already doing.

Not addressed: Concrete measures or specifics about enhancing walk-in centre capabilities were not provided

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