Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Primary Care: Patient Access

Tuesday 5 December 2023 · 5 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mohammad Yasin expressed concern over the decrease in GP practices and increase in patient-to-GP ratios in Bedford and Kempston since 2014.
  • The Minister highlighted a 50 million increase in GP appointments and the addition of nearly 4,000 new GPs since 2019.
  • Kelly Tolhurst inquired about the proposed closure of a GP surgery in her constituency due to planned housing developments.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mohammad Yasin Lab Bedford
NHS
Context

The MP notes that the number of GP practices in Bedford and Kempston has decreased from 18 to 11 since 2014, with fewer doctors serving more patients.

Question

I am concerned about the decrease in GP practices and the increase in patient-to-GP ratios. Since 2014, the number of GP practices in Bedford and Kempston has decreased from 18 to 11; there are fewer doctors while the patient list has increased; and the number of patients per qualified GP now stands at 2,812, which is a rise of 60%. Will the Minister apologise to GPs and my constituents for decimated NHS primary care services?

Answer from Andrea Leadsom

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that 50 million more appointments between 2019 and now is a fantastic increase. There are just under 4,000 new GPs since 2019, and the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that through the post-covid recovery plan to improve access we have said to GP practices that they should provide urgent appointments on the same day and for every patient within two weeks.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Apologising to GPs and constituents for decimated NHS primary care services

How: 50 Million More Appointments Between 2019 And Now Is A Fantastic Increase

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Q2 Mohammad Yasin Lab Bedford
NHS
Context

The MP inquires about the closure of GP practices and seeks support from the Minister.

Question

I thank the Minister for her answer, but let me correct her. Since 2014, the number of GP practices in Bedford and Kempston has decreased from 18 to 11; there are fewer doctors while the patient list has increased; and the number of patients per qualified GP now stands at 2,812, which is a rise of 60%. Will the Minister apologise to GPs and my constituents for decimated NHS primary care services?

Answer from Andrea Leadsom

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that 50 million more appointments between 2019 and now is a fantastic increase. There are just under 4,000 new GPs since 2019, and the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that through the post-covid recovery plan to improve access we have said to GP practices that they should provide urgent appointments on the same day and for every patient within two weeks.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Apologising to GPs and constituents for decimated NHS primary care services

How: 50 Million More Appointments Between 2019 And Now Is A Fantastic Increase

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Q3 Kelly Tolhurst Con
NHS
Context

The MP seeks help from the Minister to address the proposed closure of a GP practice.

Question

I am incredibly grateful for the significant increase in the number of GP appointments offered to residents in my constituency. However, last week Aspire announced that it wishes to close the Lower Stoke surgery on the Hoo peninsula, where the council proposes to build thousands of homes. Will my right hon. Friend meet me to discuss how I can work further with the integrated care board?

Answer from Andrea Leadsom

I am of course always delighted to meet my hon. Friend to talk about issues in her constituency. I reiterate that 50 million more GP appointments is brilliant news. Our flagship Pharmacy First programme will mean that more low-level infections and problems can be treated by community pharmacists at great convenience to patients, and it will expand GPs' ability to deal with more complex problems.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Meeting the MP to discuss working further with the integrated care board

How: 50 Million More Gp Appointments Is Brilliant News

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Q4 Paulette Hamilton Lab Birmingham Erdington
NHS
Context

The MP inquires about funding for the investigation and removal of RAAC in health facilities.

Question

A primary care walk-in facility at Warren Farm in my constituency faces closure due to the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. The proposal to close the service will mean that services are relocated away from residents who need them. What is the Minister doing to fund the investigation and removal of RAAC in health facilities while making sure that communities can still access the healthcare they need?

Answer from Andrea Leadsom

I am incredibly sympathetic to the hon. Lady's constituents. The issue of RAAC is one that the Government are determined to resolve. There has been a £698 million programme of new funding to eradicate RAAC from the healthcare system, and that work is under way.

Answered
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Q5 Steve Double Con
NHS
Context

The MP highlights the issue of missed GP appointments and seeks steps to address it.

Question

A recent report highlighted that there were 15,000 missed GP appointments in Cornwall. That is happening month after month. Does the Minister agree that this is completely unacceptable, and can she highlight what steps the Government will take to address the issue?

Answer from Andrea Leadsom

My hon. Friend is right; it is appalling that people book an appointment and then do not show up. In many GP surgeries now they post the numbers of patients who do not turn up for their appointments and urge people to make the effort to cancel.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Addressing the issue of missed GP appointments in Cornwall

How: My Hon. Friend Is Right; It Is Appalling That People Book An Appointment And Then Do Not Show Up

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