Cash injections will cure backlogs and waiting times, says Government.
More than 130,000 new doctor’s appointments could be created this year, following the announcement of almost £1.7 million in investment for surgeries across Milton Keynes, Luton and Bedfordshire.
Patients across the region are in line to benefit from the new GP appointments each year as part of a plan that means more than 1000 doctor's surgeries in England receive a bricks and mortar upgrade to modernise practices.
Backed by the Government's major cash injection of over £102 million, more than 1000 GP surgeries across the country will receive vital funding to create additional space to see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care.
Patients and staff in Milton Keynes are set to benefit from various upgrades and improvements to their practice , including major internal redesigns, creating five additional clinical rooms and transforming how local patients access healthcare services.
There are also plans for a conversion of a current pharmacy room into a clinical pharmacy hub, creating two new consultation rooms.
Many GP surgeries could be seeing more patients, but don’t have enough room or the right facilities to accommodate them. From creating new consultation and treatment rooms to making better use of existing space, these quick fixes will help patients across the country be seen faster.
“It will be a long road, but this government is putting in the work to fix our NHS and make it fit for the future,” said Wes Streeting, Health and Social Care Secretary.
“It is only because of the necessary decisions we took in the Budget that we are able to invest in GP surgeries, start tackling the 8am scramble and deliver better services for patients. The extra investment and reform this government is making, as part of its Plan for Change, will transform our NHS so it can once again be there for you when you need it.”
“We know more needs to be done to improve patient access to general practice and this investment in over one thousand primary care premises will help do this,” said Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services.
“Bringing GP premises up to a similar condition across England is important to improve patient experience of NHS services, while making primary care a better working environment as we seek to retain and recruit more staff.
“It will also help to create additional space and extend the capacity of current premises as we improve access further and bring care closer to the communities where people live as part of the 10 Year Health Plan.”
“Our reporting shows nearly one-third of patients struggle to book GP appointments, and we have long highlighted what matters in healthcare facilities: truly accessible spaces where everyone receives care with dignity,” added Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patients Association.
“This investment represents a meaningful step toward realising what patients have long been asking for. "
This is the first national capital fund for primary care estates since 2020 and part of a comprehensive package of GP support, alongside recruiting 1,500 additional GPs and reducing bureaucracy.
Projects will be delivered during the 2025-26 financial year, with the first upgrades expected to begin in summer 2025.
