Government to recruit over 1,000 new GPs by cutting red tape

Newly qualified GPs can quickly be recruited into the NHS through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme in 2024-2025, thanks to the changes announced today

In a significant move to fix the front door to the NHS, the new government has announced plans to recruit more than 1,000 newly qualified GPs by removing the red tape that prevents surgeries from hiring doctors.

Previously, under the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, primary care networks (PCNs) could claim reimbursement for the salaries and some associated costs of 17 new roles within the multidisciplinary team, enabling more specialists to treat patients.

However, PCNs were not allowed to use this scheme to hire additional GPs. The changes announced today (1 August) mean that newly qualified GPs can now be quickly recruited into the NHS through this scheme for the 2024-2025 period.

Hundreds of newly qualified GPs in England were facing the prospect of unemployment this summer. Thanks to this intervention, they will now have jobs by the end of the year.

Bringing back the family doctor is central to the government’s plan to rebuild the health service.

The changes aimed at reducing regulatory barriers will enhance patient access to GPs and facilitate job placements for new doctors, ensuring timely care for communities across England this year.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “It is absurd that patients can’t book appointments while GPs can’t find work.

“This government is taking immediate action to put GPs to work, so patients can get the care they need.

“This is a first step, as we begin the long-term work of shifting the focus of healthcare out of hospitals and into the community, to fix the front door to the NHS.

“I want to work with GPs to rebuild our NHS, so it is there for all of us when we need it.”

The government's decision addresses the concerns of GPs, following strong advocacy from the British Medical Association, Royal College of General Practitioners, and other groups who petitioned for this change, amassing over 11,000 signatures.

Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, welcomed this change, calling it an important first step to increasing GP employment in the long-term.

“Adding General Practitioners to the scheme is something that the profession has been calling for in recent months to make it easier for practices to hire more staff.”

“We will continue to work with GPs, the BMA and the Government to avert any potential action,” she added.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) noted that this is an emergency measure for 2024-2025 to improve patient access to GPs and provide job opportunities for newly qualified GPs.

This initiative will be funded by £82 million from the existing department budget, it said.

In a related development, the government has accepted the recommendations of the Pay Review Bodies in full, increasing GPs’ pay by 6 per cent - their first meaningful pay rise in years.