This site is intended for health professionals only

NHS England announces building programme to boost 300 surgeries

NHS England announces building programme to boost 300 surgeries
20 October 2016



Three hundred GP practices will get new buildings or upgraded clinics as part of a range of measures to boost primary care.

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens revealed the list of  300 practices  in the Midlands and eastern England to get cash from the Estates and Technology Transformation Fund to improve technology and premises.

They include 49 new practices – including three in Whitchurch in Shropshire.

Work has already finished at another 560 practices and improvements are underway at 316 more.

Three hundred GP practices will get new buildings or upgraded clinics as part of a range of measures to boost primary care.

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens revealed the list of  300 practices  in the Midlands and eastern England to get cash from the Estates and Technology Transformation Fund to improve technology and premises.

They include 49 new practices – including three in Whitchurch in Shropshire.

Work has already finished at another 560 practices and improvements are underway at 316 more.

It follows commitments outlined in April’s General Practice Forward View to improve buildings and allow NHS England to  pick up the tab for the full cost.

Mr Stevens outlined three measures at Wednesday’s National Association of Primary Care Annual Conference in Birmingham to put the plans  to boost  surgeries into practice.

He told the gathering: “We’re taking further practical action to provide GPs with modern surgeries to work from, expanded staff to offer their patients a wider range of mental health care and better support for GPs who look after their patients at evenings and weekends.

"We meant it when we said GP services are at the bedrock of the NHS, and we’re backing that commitment with concrete action to deliver the GP Forward View.”

He said the first appointments offering psychological therapies to patients with long term conditions will get under way in the next three months.

He announced  a package of  £11 million in 2016-17 and a further £24 million in 2017-18 for 30 CCGs to improve patients’ mental health.

A pilot showed  that treating patients’ mental and physical health problems helped them manage long term conditions.

Many patients with diabetes or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) also have anxiety disorders or depression.

NHS England pledged to fund an extra 3,000 mental therapists in GP practices as part of the Forward View.

The cost of personal indemnity for GPs working out of hours this winter will also be covered.

Mr Stevens launched a £5 million scheme for GPs doing out of hours and unscheduled care such as NHS 111 work until March 31 2017.

Earlier this month NHS England said the £19.5 million NHS GP Health service will begin in January to give mental health support to doctors and trainees.

Want news like this straight to your inbox?

Related articles