Group of health professionals talking around a table

Government meets primary care recruitment goal a year early but NHS says more needs to come

Almost 30,000 more primary care professionals are working in general practice compared to four years ago, the government has announced.

This means the government has met its manifesto pledge to recruit 26,000 extra primary care staff a year ahead of schedule.

The data from NHS England shows that, compared to March 2019, there are three-and-a-half times more dieticians, paramedics, physiotherapists and others working in GP practices. There were 11,500 staff in 2019 and now, as of March, there are 40,600.

Health secretary, Steve Barclay, said: “We have delivered on our promise a year early to recruit 26,000 extra primary care professionals which means more clinicians delivering better, more specialised and accessible care to patients.”

The news follows the recently published primary care recovery plan which outlined how the government is moving to make contacting GPs easier.

“Building on the primary care recovery plan, we are determined to end the 8am scramble, improve technology and reduce bureaucracy,” added Barclay.

Recent data also shows that March saw an additional two million appointments being delivered across general practice compared to the year prior – the equivalent of an 83,500 appointment hike for each working day.

The NHS Confederation, however, has warned that this needs to be just the start. The organisation’s director of primary care, Ruth Rankine, said the news was “ very welcome” but “against a backdrop of a decline in GP numbers and a continuing increase in demand, there is more work to be done in terms of staffing numbers and retention.”

“The forthcoming workforce plan must address how it will tackle GP numbers and lay out actions that will help keep the staff we do have,” added Rankine.

NHE Nov/Dec 2023

NHE Nov/Dec 2023

AI is key in helping dementia patients live independently for longer.

The Nov/Dec 2023 edition of NHE brings you expert comment and analysis on a range of key health sector topics, from digital transformation to navigating post-pandemic challenges.

Videos...

View all videos
National Health Executive Presents

National Health Executive Presents

NHE365 Virtual Events

NHE has created a full calendar of events to address the most important issues that influence the delivery of healthcare services. Over 365 days you'll have the opportunity to hear from a range of highly motivating, informative and inspirational speakers. These speakers will equip you with the knowledge and unique insight to enable you to overcome the challenges that you face.

National Health Executive Podcast

Ep 39.
What makes a good NHS manager? with Anthony Painter, Director of Policy at Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

In episode 39 of the National Health Executive podcast, we were joined by Anthony Painter, who is the director of policy at the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), to discuss all things management within the UK health sector and NHS.
 

During the podcast, Anthony shared some of the recent research CMI conducted in partnership with the Social Market Foundation, which centred around the state of management and leadership within the NHS.

More articles...

View all