The government is promising to improve access to GPs, including same-day appointments for those that need them, as part of a new plan.
And having struggled to recruit GPs in recent years, the government is instead changing the funding rules to allow practices to take on more senior nurses and GP assistants, the equivalent of health-care assistants in hospitals.
Ministers hope these measures will free up about three million appointments a year - 1% of the total. "GPs share patients' frustrations when we cannot deliver the care we want to deliver in a timely way," he said.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
GP appointments: New health secretary makes same-day pledgeThe new health secretary unveils plans to boost access - but doctors say they will have little impact.
Read more »
Thérèse Coffey's NHS plan explained, from GP appointments within 2 weeks to volunteer recruitsThe NHS is facing staff shortages, the Covid backlog and long waits to see a GP and book other appointments - and the new Health Secretary plans to tackle these issues head on
Read more »
New health secretary expects patients to get GP appointments 'within two weeks''The only way to make the government listen now is for us to take some kind of drastic action.' Carmel O'Boyle, an NHS nurse, says industrial action is on the cards. KayBurley: 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube
Read more »
Two Week GP Appointment Target Could Be Met With A Phone Call, Says Health SecretaryTherese Coffey says she does not want to be 'overly prescriptive' on how the new expectation can be met.
Read more »
Labour's Wes Streeting Tells Tories It's 'Time For The Next Episode'He quoted American rapper Dr. Dre at the new health secretary in the House of Commons.
Read more »
GP shake up: All patients needing urgent help to be seen on same day after months of appointments chaosAll GP patients in England who need urgent treatment will receive appointments the same day in a major shake up to deal with crippling backlogs.
Read more »