Patients across England will soon find it easier to book appointments online and see their regular doctor, following a new contract agreement between the government and general practitioners (GPs). The deal, which injects an additional £889 million annually into general practices, aims to reduce bureaucracy and free up doctors’ time to focus on patient care.
A Step Towards Ending the “8am Scramble”
One of the most significant changes in the new contract is the move to expand online booking options. Currently, many patients face the frustrating “8am scramble,” where they must call their GP surgery at precisely 8am to secure a same-day appointment. The new system will allow patients to book appointments online throughout the day, reducing phone line congestion and ensuring those in urgent need can still reach a doctor.
This shift is in line with the Labour government’s pledge to restore “family” doctors and improve access to healthcare.
More Funding and Greater Flexibility
Under the agreement, GP funding will increase by 7.2% for the 2025-26 financial year, with £800 million allocated to cover rising costs such as staff wages, building maintenance, and growing patient demand.
Additional measures in the contract include:
More flexibility for GP surgeries in hiring different healthcare professionals.
Higher payments for routine childhood vaccinations to encourage greater uptake.
Reducing administrative “box-ticking” tasks, allowing GPs to dedicate more time to patient care.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting described the contract as a crucial step toward fixing a “broken NHS.”
“Over the past decade, GP funding has fallen relative to the rest of the NHS, while administrative burdens have increased,” Streeting said. “That’s why patients have struggled to get appointments. This new contract will cut red tape and provide the extra funding GPs need to improve access for patients.”
Doctors Welcome Progress but Call for More Support
The British Medical Association (BMA), the UK’s leading doctors’ union, has welcomed the deal as an important first step but has also urged the government to commit to a long-term contract for general practice.
Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, chair of the BMA’s GP committee, said, “This contract is a good start, but general practice has been pushed to desperation point over the last 15 years. Thousands of GPs have left the profession. We now need certainty about the future.”
She suggested that patients may begin to see improvements within six to 12 months, including better continuity of care with familiar doctors and more staff being recruited.
However, some GPs remain skeptical about whether the additional funding will be enough. Dr Steve Taylor, a locum GP in Manchester, warned that much of the extra money would likely go toward covering national insurance contributions, staff salaries, and rising operational costs.
Dr Dean Eggitt, a GP in Doncaster, expressed disappointment, stating that the contract does not fully address the root causes of long waiting times.
A Long Road Ahead
While many healthcare professionals agree that the new contract is a step in the right direction, they also acknowledge that significant work remains. Dr Azeem Majeed, a GP and professor of primary care at Imperial College London, stressed that recruiting more doctors and nurses should be a priority to expand appointment availability.
“The agreement is a positive development, but it will take time before patients see tangible improvements,” he said.
As the NHS continues to grapple with rising demand and workforce challenges, the success of the new contract will ultimately depend on how effectively the additional funding translates into better access and care for patients.
