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<p>We recognize that patients are struggling to access general practice (GP), and
more must be done to improve the sustainability of the National Health Service both
nationally and in rural areas. The Government is committed to fixing the front door
to the NHS, which is crucial for its long-term sustainability.</p><p>We acknowledge
the urgent challenge of ensuring rural areas have the resources to continue serving
their patients. To address this, we will increase funding for GPs and primary care,
and shift the focus of the NHS from hospitals to community-based care. We will also
ensure rural areas have the necessary workforce to provide integrated, patient-centered
services.</p><p>We are committed to training thousands more GPs across the country,
including in rural areas, starting with the training places outlined in the NHS’s
Long-Term Workforce Plan. This will increase capacity, secure the future pipeline
of GPs, and alleviate the pressure on those currently working in the system.</p><p>We
are pleased to announce that newly qualified GPs will be included in the Additional
Roles Reimbursement Scheme as part of an initiative to address GP unemployment, with
additional funding over 2024/25. This is a step in the journey while the Government
works with GPs to identify longer term solutions to GP unemployment and sustainability.</p><p>Additionally,
we have accepted the DDRB recommendations in full and, subject to consultation with
the BMA, we will uplift the pay element of the GP contract by 6% on a consolidated
basis (an increase of 4% on top of the 2% interim uplift in April); to provide practices
with funding to uplift GP partner, salaried GP and other salaried staff pay by 6%.</p>
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