GP Contract: Same-Day Urgent Appointments Guaranteed

GPs in England are set to face a new contractual requirement mandating same-day appointments for all patients with urgent health needs. This initiative, slated to begin in April, aims to ensure that individuals requiring immediate medical attention can be seen promptly.

To support this commitment, the government is allocating additional funding, representing a 3.6% increase above inflation for GP services. This boost brings the total spending on primary care closer to £14 billion. The new clause will require practices to monitor and achieve same-day appointments in 90% of urgent cases, with a 10% allowance for practical limitations.

Despite the government's efforts to "fix the front door to the NHS," the British Medical Association (BMA) has voiced concerns. Dr. Katie Bramall, chair of the BMA's GPs committee, warned that the changes could lead to "unrealistic expectations" due to existing pressures on GP services. The BMA has not yet had the opportunity to negotiate these terms and is considering challenging the imposed contract.

Patient advocates, such as Healthwatch England, have welcomed the move, noting that it addresses consistent feedback about the difficulty in accessing GP services. The change follows previous government directives, including the introduction of online booking for non-urgent cases last year. This new contract aims to make urgent care more accessible, though the definition of "urgent cases" is still to be clarified.