South Shropshire MP Philip Dunne welcomes news of early of  the Governments to recruit 26,000 additional primary care professionals a year ahead of the March 2024 target. This including an additional 5,418 more  clinicians in the West  Midlands.

Data published on 18 May by NHS England shows there are 26,103 additional primary care staff – such as dieticians, paramedics, and physiotherapists – working in GP practices with doctors and nurses to deliver care to patients.

The Government continues to work to create more appointments, and recent data shows there were almost two million more GP appointments delivered in 2023 compared with the year before– that is 83,500 more appointments each working day.

This milestone builds on the recently published Primary Care Recovery Plan, which set out action to make it easier for patients to contact their GP and end the early morning rush. It included £240 million funding given to practices across the UK this year to embrace latest technology.

Philip Dunne said:

“I am pleased to see that the Government has fulfilled its commitment to recruit 26,000 additional primary care professionals a year ahead of schedule.

“We are starting to see improvements in access to primary care here in Shropshire which is starting to help bring down the large backlog of appointments and treatments which were exacerbated by the Covid pandemic.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:  

“This government is focused on cutting waiting lists – which is one of our five priorities - and getting patients the care, they need, when they need it.

“We have delivered on our promise to recruit 26,000 extra primary care professionals which means more clinicians delivering better, more specialised, and accessible care to patients. 

“Building on the Primary Care Recovery Plan, we are determined to end the 8am scramble, improving technology and reducing bureaucracy.”