AQW 4293/16-21

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 29/09/2016
Answered On Date: 19/10/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the progress on implementing the recommendations from the review of GP-led primary care services.

Answer:

I fully appreciate the challenges facing GP-led services and I am committed to developing a plan that will ensure their long-term sustainability. I am currently considering the findings and recommendations of the GP-led care working group’s report within the context of the development of my vision for the future of health and social care and future funding priorities for my Department.

A number of investments have already been made in recent years in the areas identified by the working group’s report. The number of GP training places has been increased from 65 per year to 85, the biggest increase in more than ten years, and a new scheme has been put in place to retain GPs in general practice.

In addition my Department is investing up to £14m by 2020/21 to put almost 300 pharmacists into practices to see patients, improve care and ease the workload on GPs. I also recently announced an additional £900k to support the work of GP Federations. GP Federations will help practices work together to increase their resilience and meet rising demand.

There have also been significant developments in information technology aimed at reducing GPs’ administrative workload, freeing up GP time for those patients who most need to see them, and making it easier for patients to access their GP practice.

I am determined to build on these investments to ensure everyone here continues to have access to sustainable, high quality GP services.