New Deal for GPs: Improving NHS Access and Care

Introduction:

General Practice is often described as the ‘front door’ of the NHS, and ensuring patients can access timely and effective care is a key priority. In response to growing pressures on GP services, the UK government and the BMA have negotiated a series of reforms aimed at reducing bureaucracy, increasing funding, and improving appointment booking systems. These changes form part of a broader NHS modernisation strategy designed to rebuild trust in primary care and improve patient outcomes.

Key Reforms:

• Enhanced Appointment Booking: From October 2025, all GP surgeries will be required to facilitate online appointment requests throughout working hours. This measure aims to reduce the early morning rush for appointments and ensure those without internet access can still book via telephone.
• Reduced Administrative Burden: The number of performance targets will be cut from 76 to 44, allowing GPs to spend more time with patients rather than completing excessive paperwork.
• Increased Funding: An additional £889 million will be allocated to GP services in 2025/26, increasing the total contract value to £13.2 billion. This represents a 7.2% rise in funding, exceeding the overall NHS budget increase.
• Continuity of Care: Incentives will be introduced to encourage GPs to provide consistent care for patients with complex or long-term conditions, ensuring they see the same doctor whenever possible.

Challenges and Concerns:

While this agreement is a step forward, concerns remain about its practical implications:

• Mandatory Digital Access: From October 2025, GP practices will need to provide full digital appointment booking capabilities, which could create administrative challenges.
• Advice and Guidance Services: GPs will be required to utilise advice and guidance (A&G) services more frequently, allowing them to seek specialist input without making formal referrals. While this aims to streamline patient management within primary care, it could lead to:
  • Increased Workload: Complex cases remain in primary care, requiring GPs to manage conditions with specialist input rather than referring them to secondary care.
  • Administrative Burden: Sending, receiving, and implementing specialist advice involves significant documentation and follow-up responsibilities.
  • Clinical Risk: GPs retain accountability for managing complex cases, potentially increasing time spent on risk management and patient communication.
  • Repeated Queries: If initial guidance does not resolve a case, additional A&G requests may be needed, resulting in further back-and-forth communication.

The Role of Ashtons Virtual Hub:

The Ashtons Virtual Hub is designed to support GP practices by offering a range of solutions that reduce the administrative and clinical burden on primary care services. By increasing capacity for digital appointments, the Ashtons Virtual Hub ensures that more patients can be seen quickly while allowing GPs to focus on priority cases and complex medical needs.

Beyond online appointment management, the Ashtons Virtual Hub provides clinical services such as remote consultations, prescription management, and medication reviews, helping streamline the patient journey.

By integrating seamlessly with GP workflows, it enables more efficient triaging of patients, reducing unnecessary in-practice visits and ensuring that those who need in-person care receive it faster. This approach not only optimises accessibility for patients but also helps practices manage resources effectively in response to increasing demand.

By leveraging digital tools and specialist support, the Ashtons Virtual Hub helps future-proof primary care, ensuring that GPs can maintain high-quality patient interactions while meeting the evolving challenges of the NHS reform.

Implications for Patients and Healthcare Providers:

This new agreement is expected to have significant benefits for both patients and healthcare professionals:

• Improved Patient Experience: Greater access to online booking, reduced waiting times, and increased doctor continuity will enhance the quality of care.
• Greater Efficiency in GP Practices: By eliminating unnecessary administrative tasks and utilising the Ashtons Virtual Hub, GPs will have more time to focus on patient care, improving job satisfaction and reducing burnout.
• Strengthened NHS Primary Care Services: Increased funding and support for GP practices will ensure sustainable, high-quality care for all NHS patients.

Conclusion:

This agreement represents a major step forward in modernising GP services and addressing key issues in primary care. By prioritising patient access, reducing administrative pressures, and ensuring proper funding, the government aims to restore public confidence in the NHS. However, challenges remain, particularly regarding the increased use of Advice and Guidance (A&G) services, which may add to GP workloads rather than alleviate them. Solutions such as the Ashtons Virtual Hub will be essential in supporting GPs and ensuring these reforms deliver meaningful benefits for patients and healthcare professionals alike.

Citation:
UK Government. “New Deal for GPs Will Fix the Front Door of the NHS.” Published 28 February 2025. Gov.uk