Asked on GB News how he was going to fix the 8am rush for appointments, Mr Streeting said: “It’s a big challenge, as with most things in the NHS, but the fact that we’ve just agreed a deal with GPs on their contract and on the reforms that will deliver the end to the 8am scramble, actually the first time a contract has been signed with GPs since the pandemic, so this is bringing an end to that dispute GPs have had with Government, an end to collective action.
Wes Streeting said the new deal brings an end to the dispute GPs have had with the Government, which has seen them take “collective action” such as limiting the number of patients each doctor sees and stopping the “rationing” of referrals and investigations as requested by the NHS.
“This is a breakthrough moment that’s going to deliver real results for patients, because with this reform, and with this contract, comes the reform that will deliver online access appointment booking for patients up and down the country to bring the NHS into the 21st century, along with all the other services we have at our fingertips at the touch of a button.”.
A new contract for GPs is a “breakthrough moment”, the Health Secretary has said, as he admitted ending the 8am scramble for appointments is a “big challenge”.
Through cutting what the Government says are “box-ticking targets”, ministers say GPs will be freed “to take the first steps to end the 8am scramble for appointments”.
