Conservatives pledge £1bn to increase number of GP appointments - but will cut NHS management (2024)

The Conservative government has pledged £1bn a year in a bid to increase the number of GP appointments in the UK.

The Tories say they would build both GP surgeries and community diagnostic centres if they were re-elected to government.

The party wants to build 100 new GP surgeries and modernise another 150.

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However, this bears echoes of the 2019 promise to build 40 new hospitals by 2030 - something the government will not be able to do, according to the National Audit Office.

The report released last year found only 32 of the 40 new hospitals promised by Boris Johnson would be built by the end of the decade - and some may be too small.

Talking about the 100 new GP surgeries, Health Secretary Victoria Atkins told Sky News' Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: "That will provide tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of appointments each year. And that in itself will be able to help local populations.

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"We're particularly focusing our GP surgeries in areas where there's been housing expansion as well."

The Conservatives also want to increase the range of treatments available for people at pharmacies, after previously introducing the scheme in January.

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They claim treating conditions such as acne and chest infections would free up 20 million GP appointments once fully fired up.

Rishi Sunak said: "The NHS is one of our most important national assets and the Conservatives are taking the long-term decisions to secure its future.

"As part of our clear plan we are investing in community services making it quicker, easier and more convenient for patients to receive the care they need and help to relieve pressure on hospital services.

"Only the Conservatives will take the bold action needed to secure the NHS's future so that you can be safe in the knowledge that the NHS will be there for you and your family whenever you need it."

It comes as the Tories continue to languish in the polls behind Labour.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt told the Mail on Sunday that his party's tax cuts failed to draw in voters - and also said another cut would not have changed opinions.

He said: "The fact that we've had two significant tax cuts that haven't really changed the polls demonstrates to me that having a third one with the same again is unlikely to change the calculus."

He added: "The Bank of England's view is that there's an 18-month delay between changing interest rates and it impacting on people's finances... so the idea that you have a drop in interest rates and suddenly everyone feels good... is to underestimate how people are making this decision."

Conservatives pledge £1bn to increase number of GP appointments - but will cut NHS management (4)

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The government's healthcare pledge will require an extra £1bn by the end of the decade, and will be funded by cutting NHS managers to pre-COVID levels and reducing the use of management consultants, they said.

The announcement comes as Labour announced its plans for cutting legal migration.

Labour's shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: "The Conservatives have broken their manifesto promise to recruit more GPs, instead cutting 1,700 since 2016 and closing down more than 450 GP practices.

"Patients are finding it harder than ever before to see a GP, so why would they trust this latest empty promise?

"The doctor can't see you now, and it will only get worse if the Tories are given another five years.

"Labour will train thousands more GPs and cut the red tape that ties up GPs' time, so we can bring back the family doctor."

Conservatives pledge £1bn to increase number of GP appointments - but will cut NHS management (2024)

FAQs

Conservatives pledge £1bn to increase number of GP appointments - but will cut NHS management? ›

The government's healthcare pledge will require an extra £1bn by the end of the decade, and will be funded by cutting NHS managers to pre-COVID levels and reducing the use of management consultants, they said. The announcement comes as Labour announced its plans for cutting legal migration.

What does NHS stand for? ›

NHS England leads the National Health Service (NHS) in England. We promote high quality health and care for all through the NHS Long Term Plan. We support NHS organisations to work in partnership to deliver better outcomes for our patients and communities and provide value for taxpayers.

Who pays for NHS? ›

The vast majority of public NHS funding comes from general taxation and National Insurance contributions. A small proportion of funding (1% of the total Department of Health and Social Care budget in 2022/23) comes from patient charges for services such as prescriptions and dental treatment.

Is healthcare free at the point of care in the UK? ›

The NHS is funded mainly through general taxation. It is largely 'free at the point of use', meaning that patients pay no direct charge for most health care. There are charges for prescriptions, dentistry, eye tests and a few other services.

What is the structure of the UK health system? ›

The UK has a government-sponsored universal healthcare system called the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS consists of a series of publicly funded healthcare systems in the UK. It includes the National Health Services (England), NHS Scotland, NHS Wales and Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland.

What is the new name for the NHS? ›

Health Education England, NHS Digital and NHS England merged into a single organisation in 2023. All references to NHS Digital now, or in the future, relate to NHS England.

Who was behind the NHS? ›

The 1942 Beveridge cross-party report established the principles of the NHS which was implemented by the Labour government in 1948. Labour's Minister for Health Aneurin Bevan is popularly considered the NHS's founder, despite never formally being referred to as such.

Which country has the best healthcare system in the world? ›

The Best Healthcare Systems in the World in 2024

What country has the best healthcare, according to this assessment? Singapore comes in at No. 1! Other countries with the best healthcare are listed below.

Do all British citizens get free healthcare? ›

For U.K. citizens and residents who qualify for an NHS number, the United Kingdom provides universal healthcare.

Can Americans get free health care in UK? ›

IMPORTANT: Anyone in the UK can receive treatment at an NHS facility, no matter their residency status. However, tourist visitors to the UK do not typically qualify for free NHS treatment. Any care beyond emergency treatment and certain other services will likely incur a fee.

Is the UK health system better than the USA? ›

The Commonwealth Fund conducts an analysis of the healthcare systems of 11 developed countries every few years. According to their latest report published in 2021 analyzing data primarily up to 2019, the US had an overall ranking of 11 out of 11 and the UK ranked 4 out of 11.

Do the British like their healthcare system? ›

The British clearly prefer their system. Nearly half of Americans (49%) today have a favorable opinion of the U.S. system, compared to just 9% of British people. In contrast, 78% of British people have a positive perspective of their national health care system, and so do 35% of Americans.

Where does the US rank in healthcare? ›

Introduction. The United States ranks 11th in the 2022 World Index of Healthcare Innovation, down from 6th in 2021 and 4th in 2020.

What does NHS stand for USA? ›

Unveiled over a century ago, the National Honor Society enshrines four pillars at its heart: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.

What is NHS known for? ›

The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to recognize those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

Is NHS an honor? ›

The National Honor Society recognizes exceptional high schoolers. Qualifying students can join the local chapter at their high school. NHS distributes 600 scholarships worth $2 million each year. Honor societies like NHS can help high schoolers prepare for college.

What does NHS stand for in texting? ›

/ˌen eɪtʃ ˈes/ ​National Health Service (the public health service in Britain that provides medical treatment and is paid for by taxes)

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