Motion

Motion TitleExtreme Pressures in Primary Care

Motion TextThat this Assembly values the enormous contribution of those working in primary care across Northern Ireland; notes that this includes GPs, nurses, health visitors, physiotherapists, social workers and mental health practitioners; recognises that primary care is generally the first point of contact within the health service for those who become unwell; further notes the recent Northern Ireland Audit Office report on Access to General Practice, which found that almost one in three local practices have sought crisis support in the last four years; regrets the absence of a specific workforce strategy for general practice; believes the failure to train, recruit, retain and reward staff has limited progress toward the rollout of multi-disciplinary teams in local primary care settings; calls on the Minister of Health to provide an indemnity scheme for GPs in Northern Ireland in line with arrangements in other parts of the United Kingdom; and further calls on the Minister to increase the number of GP training places and invest in an enhanced fellowship programme for newly qualified GPs as part of an ambitious, costed and time-bound plan to grow the primary care workforce.

Motion CategoryPrivate Members' Motion

Date Tabled to Business Office16/04/2024

Date Selected By Committee30/04/2024

Date of Plenary Debate14/05/2024