Rachel has welcomed the early delivery of a Government commitment to recruit more primary care staff.
Data published by NHS England last month 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. This includes 5,418 more primary care staff in the Midlands.
This means the Government has delivered on a key manifesto commitment a year ahead of the March 2024 target.
The Government is continuing 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.
Rachel recently discussed this with Dr Gillian Farmer, General Secretary of the Worcestershire Local Medical Committee which represents local GPs, as well as other challenges facing GP practices in Redditch and the Villages.
It follows a GP survey Rachel conducted last year which gathered residents’ views of GP services in the constituency.
Rachel said:
“This Government is focused on cutting waiting lists – which is one of our five priorities - and getting my constituents the care they need, when they need it.
“We have delivered on our promise to recruit 26,000 extra primary care professionals which means more clinicians delivering better, more specialised and accessible care to patients.
“As part of my Long-Term Plan for the Delivery of Health and Social Care in Redditch and the Villages, I will continue to push for improved access to GP services to ensure my constituents receive the first-class healthcare they deserve.”
