Speaking afterwards Andrew said “I’m acutely aware of how important it is for my constituents to be able to get in to see a GP in a timely manner. We need to do more to support GPs in their work so that more of them stay in general practice for longer. I will continue to campaign for more support for general practices although the £4.5 billion pounds allocated in the NHS long-term plan for primary and community care is clearly very welcome.”
The following can be found on Hansard
Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con)
Q4. The NHS long-term plan is hugely welcome, particularly its recognition that GPs are the bedrock of the NHS. Does the Prime Minister agree that it is vital that we do all we can to support GPs in staying in general practice, and that the education and training budget be urgently prioritised, to enable a wide range of healthcare professionals to support GPs in their practices? [908401]
The Prime Minister
My Hon. Friend raises an important point about GPs. If he looks at the long-term plan for the NHS, which was launched on Monday and is being made possible by the £20.5 billion extra that we will be putting into the NHS by 2023-24, he will see that support for the workforce, including GPs, is a very important part of that plan. Indeed, a greater focus on primary care, which will help to keep people out of hospital—at any point in time, 20% to 30% of people in hospital do not need to be there—is an important part of the plan. GPs are an essential element of that, and I assure my hon. Friend that they will be part of that important workforce planning.