NHS England announce measures to ease pressure on GPs

NHS England has pledged new support and funding measures to relieve some of the pressures GPs across the country are currently facing.

The steps to be taken include the release of the first 16 million pounds of the new 40 million pound Practice Resilience Programme, which is designed to help struggling practices across the country.

Meanwhile, the first phase of the three-year general practice development programme, worth 30 million pounds, will also be initiated, giving every practice in the country the opportunity to receive training and development support.

Additional funding will also be made available to help offset the rising cost of GP indemnity, in addition to broader plans to reform indemnity arrangements.

The overall aim of these initiatives will be to aid GP practices struggling with their finances, protect GPs from the rising cost of negligence claims and introduce new models of care that will lead to more joined-up services.

Simon Stevens, NHS England chief executive, said: "We meant it when we said we would take concrete action to help relieve pressure on GP practices, and today’s funding is just the first instalment."