AQW 8515/22-27
Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast
Tabled Date: 08/03/2024
Answered On Date: 26/03/2024
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health what actions he has taken since February 2024 to encourage GPs to return to rural areas where contracts have been handed back, including through public investment in premises as appropriate.
Answer:
Since returning as Health Minister, my immediate priority has been to progress the 2023/24 pay award for GPs. I recently approved a 6% funding uplift for GPs and their staff in response to the recommendations of the 51st report of the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) published in July 2023. This was an important step in recognising the important role of GPs and their staff and to acknowledging the increasing pressures and demands faced by General Practice. Stabilisation is a key concern and one which my Department is pro-actively taking steps to address. It is recognised that there has been significant change in general practice since the original UK wide contract introduced in 2004. My officials are working with the Northern Ireland General Practitioners Committee (NIGPC) to consider if a new model of delivery is appropriate in future years to ensure that services are sustainable in the medium and long term, and that patients will continue to be able to access high quality service and care from their GP now and into the future. My Department has also been working with Health and Social Care Trusts and GP Federations to promote stability in vulnerable, rural areas. I am aware that over the past two years, 24 contracts have been returned however despite this high level of contract hand-back, through working with key stakeholders including HSC Trusts and GP Federations, it has been possible to ensure that no practice has closed and that patients can continue to access GP services in their areas. Against the background of a challenging financial climate, my Department continues its focus on building the GP workforce which includes funding the Attract, Recruit and Retain scheme, the GP Retainer Scheme and the GP Induction and Refresher Scheme. The Attract, Recruit and Retain Scheme, which promotes recruitment in hard to recruit areas, was launched on 4th January 2023 and, as of March 2024, 48 GP Practices have applied to the Scheme and received approval in principle for funding. 23 GP practices have applied to the Scheme and received final approval for payment in respect of a recruited GP. The annual number of GP training places remains at the increased level of 121 and my Department will be working with the NI Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA) to undertake a review of the GP training programme to consider innovations which will enhance the recruitment and retention of GP trainees in Northern Ireland. In terms of investment in premises, my Department’s strategic priority is to increase capacity within primary care. As part of a 10-year capital investment plan, investment is being made into GP hubs and spokes to improve GP accommodation across Northern Ireland. My Department also continues to engage with all GP practices on premises improvement projects to support the ongoing delivery of GMS services and to create capacity to accommodate Multi-Disciplinary Team staff.
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