Health leaders have announced a £10 million investment that will kick-start the expansion of the general practice work force.
The funding from NHS England will be used to develop a wide range of initiatives in collaboration with Health Education England (HEE), the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the British Medical Association (BMA).
The aim it to increase the number of GPs through recruitment drives, pharmacists and primary care nursing staff.
Health leaders have announced a £10 million investment that will kick-start the expansion of the general practice work force.
The funding from NHS England will be used to develop a wide range of initiatives in collaboration with Health Education England (HEE), the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the British Medical Association (BMA).
The aim it to increase the number of GPs through recruitment drives, pharmacists and primary care nursing staff.
NHS England hopes to recruit newly trained doctors into general practice in areas struggling to recruit, to retain GPs through more flexible working patterns and to encourage doctors to return to general practice.
Professor Wendy Reid, medical director and director of education and quality for Health Education England, said: “This programme will spearhead a completely new cultural change within primary care, supporting a wider multidisciplinary team to work together by emulating successes in emergency medicine for the benefits of patients across the NHS.
“One innovative solution currently in planning is the development of regional training hubs, bringing together the wider expertise of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other specialisms tailored to the regional needs of patients locally. All of this is underpinned by a more equitable and easier career route within a highly rewarding part of the NHS.”
Simon Stevens, chief executive at NHS England, said: “Primary care is the bedrock of the NHS and the Five-Year Forward View makes clear that it will play an even greater role in the future. We need greater investment in GP services, extending to community nursing, pharmacy and eye care services. This £10 million will kick start a range of initiatives to drive that forward so every community has GP services that best meets its health needs.”
