The week brought several pivotal developments in UK primary care, as national strategy begins to pivot decisively toward prevention, digital transformation, and addressing inequalities. From major shifts in funding policy to a landmark change in GP IT infrastructure, this week’s news underscores both significant opportunity and inevitable disruption for primary care providers.

A New Vision for Health: Streeting Targets Deprivation with £2.2 Billion Redirect

In a major speech delivered in Blackpool, Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting unveiled key elements of the incoming 10‑Year Health Plan. The announcement confirmed that £2.2 billion will be redirected from hospital deficits to primary and community care in deprived, rural, and coastal communities.

Describing the change as a necessary correction of the long-standing “inverse care law”, Streeting committed to reviewing GP funding formulas to ensure practices serving the most disadvantaged populations receive fairer allocations. This move aims to close care gaps and build more resilient local services where they are most urgently needed.

A Digital Watershed: NHS Approves First New GP Clinical IT System in 25 Years

In a landmark shift for general practice technology, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have approved a new core clinical system developed by Medicus Health. The cloud-based platform is the first to gain such approval in over two decades and is now live across four early adopter sites covering approximately 42,000 patients.

The new system is fully integrated with NHS infrastructure and is intended for phased national rollout. While this marks a significant step forward in terms of modernisation and interoperability, GP leaders have raised concerns about the operational burden of transition and the need for adequate support during implementation.

Concerns Over Mounjaro Rollout in Primary Care

GPs have also voiced concern over the recent introduction of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) into general practice for weight management. Though hailed as a powerful new tool in obesity treatment, many clinicians are reporting that the rollout has been chaotic, with patient expectations outpacing what surgeries are practically able to deliver.

There is an increasing call for clearer national guidance and improved resourcing to ensure safe and equitable prescribing of this medication within already stretched primary care teams.

Contractual Reforms: 2025/26 GP Contract Changes Unveiled

NHS England confirmed significant changes to the GP contract for 2025/26. Headline updates include an £889 million uplift to core contract funding, partial reallocation of QOF funding into cardiovascular disease prevention, enhanced reimbursement for locum cover, a new £80 million Advice & Guidance programme, and further flexibility under ARRS.

Digital access expectations will also be tightened, requiring practices to maintain open online consultation systems during core hours. These changes reflect an intensified drive towards prevention, access, and system-wide integration.

Local Insight: Missed Appointments Still Plaguing Capacity

NHS Sussex issued a local reminder of the impact missed appointments continue to have on primary care. More than 27,000 GP appointments were missed across Sussex in January alone, prompting a renewed campaign to encourage patients to cancel bookings they no longer need.

This issue, while perennial, remains a fundamental barrier to managing workloads and improving patient access across many ICS areas.

National Inquiry into Maternity Care Launched

In a final noteworthy update, Parliament has opened a national inquiry into maternity care provision in England. The inquiry, announced alongside Mounjaro’s national launch, will investigate widespread concerns around safety and quality in maternity services, many of which have drawn criticism in recent years.

How General Practice Solutions Can Support Your Practice

At General Practice Solutions, we understand that times of change bring both opportunity and uncertainty. Our services are designed to support primary care providers through these evolving pressures. Whether your practice needs assistance with:

• Transitioning to new digital systems

• Meeting revised contractual obligations

• Expanding workforce capacity through remote telephony or clinical coding support

• Preparing for CQC reviews or addressing care inequalities

…our team is here to help you stay resilient and compliant.

We offer scalable, high-quality support tailored to the needs of GP practices and Primary Care Networks, with a strong track record in operational excellence and regulatory readiness.

To learn more or arrange a consultation, please get in touch via our website or email enquiries@generalpracticesolutions.net.

Let us help you navigate the road ahead — confidently and compliantly.

Workforce Wednesdays: HR Hot Topics with Jordan

Staying informed about workforce issues is key to building resilient primary care teams—especially during times of operational change and staffing pressure. Join us every week for Workforce Wednesdays, where our HR lead Jordan explores topical issues in primary care staffing, employment law updates, and practical solutions for managing teams effectively.

From handling absences to navigating contract changes, Jordan shares clear, actionable insights that help practice leaders stay ahead.

Click here to explore Workforce Wednesdays and tune in to the latest HR hot topics.

Stay Updated with Primary Care News

For more up-to-date primary care news, tune in to Tuesday Talks! Each week, we discuss key industry updates, policy changes, and how they impact healthcare providers. We also highlight the latest services and solutions offered by GPS, helping practices stay ahead in an ever-changing NHS landscape.

Join us for expert insights, practical advice, and in-depth discussions tailored to primary care professionals.