Health Foundation responds to NHS England’s General Practice Forward View

Today NHS England has launched its General Practice Forward View.

Director of Policy, at the Health Foundation, Richard Taunt said:

'A strong NHS needs strong general practice. At a time when general practice and primary care needs to be expanding, it is clear it is increasingly under pressure.

'The question is not whether action is needed, but whether this action will be sufficient to address the range of challenges facing general practice. These challenges – including GP retention and short appointment times – have been highlighted in our own analysis, and are further spelt out in today’s Health Select Committee report.

'For example, our international survey with the Commonwealth Fund found 29% of UK GPs want to leave the profession in the next five years. In addition, it found 92% of UK GPs spend less than 15 minutes with patients per appointment, compared to an international average of 27%.

'While today’s announcement contains a promising vision for general practice, the breadth of challenges in primary care, as well as the mounting financial problems across the NHS and social care, mean the challenge of achieving this vision should not be underestimated. This investment is a welcome start, particularly plans to give GPs and practice staff the headspace and practical support so vitally needed for transforming care.'

Notes to Editors

In February of this year, the Health Foundation published an analysis of the Commonwealth Fund’s 2015 International Health Policy Survey of Primary Care Doctors. The Foundation had helped to shape the survey and funded some UK specific questions. Under pressure provides insights into how GPs perceive their working lives.

Media contact

For further information please contact Lewis Pickett on 020 7257 8017 or lewis.pickett@health.org.uk.