Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Primary Care: Patient Access

Tuesday 19 November 2024 · 9 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government has invested 82 million into the ARRS to recruit 1,000 more newly qualified GPs this year to improve primary care access.
  • Trials of neighbourhood health centres are being conducted across the country to integrate various services and prevent health issues.
  • Government plans further action to support roles like district nursing at a primary care level, aiming to provide more care closer to homes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sam Carling Lab North West Cambridgeshire
NHS
Context

The MP notes ongoing concerns about patient access to primary care services in the NHS, following a decade of Conservative mismanagement.

Question

What assessment has been made by his Department regarding the adequacy of patient access to primary care services?

Answer from Wes Streeting

The Government recognises pressures in general practice but has invested £82 million into the ARRS to recruit 1,000 more newly qualified GPs this year. This will take pressure off general practice.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assessment of adequacy and impact on reduced GP numbers was not provided

How: Focus On Recruitment

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Q2 Josh Simons Lab Makerfield
NHS
Context

The MP highlights a local initiative in Makerfield focused on prevention and delivered through neighbourhood health centres, needing government support.

Question

In Makerfield, the council and NHS trust are pioneering a health system focused on prevention through neighbourhood health centres. What is being done to improve access to primary care, especially data-driven preventive care?

Answer from Wes Streeting

The Government is trialling neighbourhood health centres across the country to bring together a range of services. The Secretary would like to meet to hear more about what works well and needs improvement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific steps announced for supporting such initiatives in other areas

How: Future Meeting

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Q3 Christopher Vince Lab Co-op Harlow
NHS
Context

The MP raises concerns about the impact of reduced access to primary care on A&E departments, citing an example from Harlow.

Question

Does he agree that access to primary care is important for supporting accident and emergency departments? Also, what plans are there to support dental surgeries like the one in Harlow?

Answer from Wes Streeting

The Government recognises the issue of tooth decay among young children and has met with the British Dental Association to consider reforms for retaining dentists and rebuilding NHS dental services.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific plans announced for addressing issues related to tooth decay and dentist shortages

How: Meetings Held

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Q4 Sam Carling Lab North West Cambridgeshire
NHS
Context

The MP highlights the increasing burnout among GPs and the high number of patients per fully qualified GP in his local area.

Question

What steps are being taken to make the situation more sustainable for GPs while improving access to primary care?

Answer from Wes Streeting

The Government has invested an additional £82 million into the ARRS to recruit 1,000 more newly qualified GPs this year and further budget allocations will be announced soon.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitments or measures for sustainability mentioned

How: Investment In Arrs

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Q5 Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon
NHS
Context

The MP visited Summertown health centre, where staff highlighted the issue of slow delivery of promised capital investment in primary care.

Question

What will be done to ensure integrated care boards deliver the £100 million allocated for capital investment in primary care quickly?

Answer from Wes Streeting

ICBs are leading the development of a new neighbourhood health service, and responsibilities for performance management have been removed to focus on primary and community services. Further talks will be held with BMA and RCGP.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No steps announced for expedited delivery process

How: Talks Planned

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Q6 Lewis Cocking Con Broxbourne
NHS
Context

The MP raises concerns about the need for GP surgeries in Goff's Oak, an area of rapid development.

Question

What steps are being taken to ensure that GP surgeries are provided before hundreds of new homes are built?

Answer from Wes Streeting

The Government is focused on delivering both new homes and GP surgeries, but criticises the previous Conservative government for not delivering either.

Not addressed: No measures or plans announced to align GP provision with housing developments

How: Criticism Of Previous Government

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Q7 Andrew George Lib Dem St Ives
NHS
Context

The MP points out that there has been a significant reduction in district nurses over the last decade, affecting primary and community NHS services.

Question

What can be done to replace essential roles like district nursing at a primary care level?

Answer from Wes Streeting

The Government has seen examples of hospital at home delivered by community nursing teams, aiming to provide more care closer to homes. Further action is planned.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No concrete steps or plans for replacing district nurses announced

How: Examples Shown

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Q8 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
NHS Taxation
Context

The Royal College of General Practitioners warned that the national insurance tax hike will cost 2.2 million appointments, affecting GPs, hospices, and care homes.

Question

I am concerned about the Royal College of General Practitioners warning that the national insurance tax increase is expected to cost 2.2 million appointments. Health providers are not exempt from these increases and will have to plan cutbacks before learning if any mitigation measures will be put in place by April. How does taxing GPs contribute to increasing GP access?

Answer from Wes Streeting

We will set out allocations long before April next year for health and care providers. When deciding allocations, we consider the pressures on different parts of the system. The shadow Minister talks about choices; Conservative Members welcome the £26 billion investment but oppose raising it through the means provided. They need to be clear: support the investment or say they would cut it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address how taxing GPs will increase GP access.

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Q9 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
NHS Taxation
Context

A GP described the situation as “Schrödinger's primary care,” indicating confusion over whether GPs are seen as private contractors or public entities, impacting their tax status.

Question

One GP has stated that primary care finds itself in a 'Schrödinger's state' because they are considered private contractors for national insurance purposes but exempt from small business relief. Did the Department of Health knowingly go along with the Treasury's plan to tax primary care without providing mitigation, leading to cuts? Or did it not understand or spot the complexity involved?

Answer from Wes Streeting

Conservative Members welcome the £26 billion investment in the NHS but oppose raising it through national insurance increases. They need to be honest: support the means to raise funds or say they would cut NHS funding.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not address whether the Department of Health understood the tax complexities for primary care.

How: Conservative Members Welcome The £26 Billion Investment In The Nhs But Oppose Raising It Through National Insurance Increases.

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