20.10.16
Stevens outlines ‘practical action’ to support GP estates improvement
NHS England has promised new funding for GP estates improvements, mental healthcare and out-of-hours indemnity as part of delivering the GP Forward View.
The Forward View, published in April, is intended to address concerns about the multiple pressures on GP surgeries through increased funding and service reforms.
Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said: “The NHS needs strong primary care services, and we’re taking further practical action to provide GPs with modern surgeries to work from, expanded staff to offer their patients a wider range of mental health care, and better support for GPs who look after patients at evenings and weekends.
“We meant it when we said GP services are the bedrock of the NHS, and we’re backing that commitment with concrete action to deliver the General Practice Forward View.”
Nearly 300 GP practices will receive investment to improve their premises and technology in 2016-17 through the Estates and Technology Transformation Fund.
A list of practices in the Midlands and the East who will receive funding was published. More will be announced at the end of October, subject to due diligence checks.
The fund has already allowed 560 improvement schemes to take place, with 316 more in the process of completion.
Furthermore, NHS England announced it would award more than £11m in 2016-17 and over £24m in 2017-18 to fund 22 different psychological therapy schemes for patients with long-term physical conditions across 30 CCGs.
The scheme will help patients with diabetes, COPD and other conditions, who are more likely to be at risk of anxiety and depression.
Finally, a £5m scheme will cover the costs of personal professional indemnity for GPs wishing to undertake work in out-of-hours services, NHS 111 and other unscheduled care services until March 2017. This will make it easier for GPs to deliver additional care during the busy winter months.
NHS England has also released funding for IT and time management training for GPs, as well as support for GPs coping with mental health problems and trying to return to work after an absence.
But a leaked letter from Dr Paul Twomey, medical director of the NHS England North Yorkshire and Humber area team, suggested that part of the Forward View process could involve plans to let practices “fail and wither” if they fail to reform services.
Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an NHE columnist? If so, click here.