Kemi Badenoch MP welcomes the news that the Government has delivered on a key manifesto commitment to recruit 26,000 additional primary care professionals a year ahead of the March 2024 target – including 3,349 more in the East of England.
Data published by NHS England shows there are 26,103 additional primary care staff – such as dieticians, paramedics and physiotherapists – working in GP practices with doctors and nurses to deliver care to patients.
The Government continues to work to create more appointments and recent data shows there were almost two million more GP appointments delivered in March when compared to a year ago – that is 83,500 more appointments each working day.
This milestone builds on the recently published Primary Care Recovery Plan, which set out action to make it easier for patients to contact their GP and end the 8am rush. It included £240 million funding given to practices across the UK this year to embrace latest technology.
More broadly, there are record numbers of doctors and nurses working in the NHS helping to deliver extra appointments, speed up diagnoses and tackle the Covid backlog. Data also shows 440 more doctors working in general practice from March 2022 and an improved capacity for appointments for those that need them.
Commenting, Mrs Badenoch said:
“These extra staff will be vital in helping us achieve the Government’s Primary Care Recovery Plan which is just one of the ways we’re tackling waiting lists and building multi-disciplinary teams who can provide new services and better care directly to residents across Chelmsford and Uttlesford, when they need it.
“The Plan focuses on issues that my constituents have concerns about, including tackling the 8am rush at GP practices, expanding pharmacy services, and cutting bureaucracy.”
