This week has seen several significant developments within UK primary care, from recruitment milestones and digital innovations to initiatives tackling health inequalities. Below is a summary of the most pressing news items shaping the primary care landscape.

1. Progress on GP Recruitment and Access Reforms

The NHS has announced the recruitment of over 1,500 new GPs within the past six months, marking a notable step forward in tackling long-standing workforce shortages. This recruitment drive, part of the Government’s £82 million “Plan for Change”, addresses years of underinvestment and reverses a situation where newly qualified GPs were struggling to find employment due to a mismatch in funding and availability of roles.

Alongside recruitment efforts, broader reforms are being introduced to modernise access. From October 2025, GP practices will be required to implement online appointment systems, thereby eliminating the much-criticised 8am telephone rush. The plan also includes commitments to improve continuity of care, with the aim of allowing more patients to see the same GP regularly—bringing the NHS closer to a modernised version of the traditional family doctor model.

2. Community Health and Wellbeing Workers Supporting Deprived Areas

Community Health and Wellbeing Workers (CHWWs) are being deployed more widely across England as part of a strategic shift towards prevention and community-based care. These non-clinically trained professionals, recruited from within the communities they serve, work closely with households to address a broad range of health and social needs including housing, financial concerns, and loneliness.

The CHWW initiative began in Westminster in 2021 and is now active in 12 areas, with 13 more expected to follow. Early evaluations from both Westminster and Cornwall show encouraging results: improved uptake of cancer screenings, vaccinations, and NHS Health Checks, as well as reductions in the use of emergency and mental health services. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has indicated the scheme may become a central feature of the NHS’s next 10-year plan.

3. Addressing Inequities in HIV Care for Black Communities

A report released this week by the National AIDS Trust has raised urgent concerns about the standard of HIV care being offered to Black individuals within general practice. The findings reveal that nearly one in five Black people living with HIV avoid visiting their GP due to fear of stigma and discrimination. Distressingly, some respondents reported inappropriate remarks from medical professionals, and others were denied access to specific procedures or medications.

The report underscores systemic issues within general practice, such as high workloads, a lack of cultural competence, and insufficient information sharing. It calls for targeted reforms to improve trust, ensure equitable treatment, and develop culturally competent models of care. NHS England has acknowledged these disparities and reaffirmed its commitment to tackling racial inequality across its services.

4. Digital Innovation: Care at Home Through Connected Technology

Former Celtic football captain Scott Brown has launched Digi Care Health UK, a new digital healthcare venture aimed at reducing the strain on NHS hospital services. The initiative allows patients to receive clinical support from home via video consultations, backed by fast broadband connections provided through Brown’s existing broadband company, Future Connected Fibre.

The pilot, currently underway in partnership with NHS England, Cheshire and Merseyside ICB, and local emergency services, exemplifies how technology can support a shift towards more sustainable, patient-centred care. It is hoped that such innovations will complement NHS efforts to digitise frontline care while improving access and outcomes for patients who prefer or require care outside of hospital settings.

5. NHS Waiting Lists: A Slow but Steady Decline

NHS England has reported a sixth consecutive month of decline in the elective care waiting list, with over 3.1 million additional appointments delivered since July 2024. While this progress is welcome, the waiting list remains high, having peaked at 7.77 million in September 2023 and standing at 7.43 million as of January 2025.

These figures reflect the NHS’s continued efforts to recover post-pandemic and meet the demands of an ageing population, against the backdrop of workforce pressures and rising complexity of care needs. Sustained investment and innovation will be critical to accelerating this downward trend.

Final Thoughts

The week’s headlines reflect a health system in transition—working to rebuild trust, increase access, and embed prevention into the fabric of community care. While challenges remain, the momentum behind recruitment, digital adoption, and health equity initiatives signals a proactive approach to the future of primary care.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to track developments across the NHS and primary care sector.

How General Practice Solutions Can Support Primary Care During These Pressures

In light of the current challenges outlined across this week’s developments, it is evident that practices are under immense pressure to deliver more, with fewer resources. This climate demands agile, effective support that not only addresses immediate staffing needs but also aligns with wider strategic objectives.

General Practice Solutions (GPS) partners with primary care organisations to provide precisely that. As the NHS looks to implement contractual changes aimed at reducing administrative burden and improving access, many practices will require transitional support to manage increased patient engagement through digital systems, alongside their core service delivery. GPS offers experienced, flexible staff who are ready to step in and maintain continuity of care—be it in reception, telephony, coding, administration, or clinical support roles.

With the ongoing rollout of initiatives such as Pharmacy First and enhanced digital booking systems, practices must also adapt quickly to evolving service models. Our associates are already familiar with these changes and can provide immediate operational support, allowing permanent teams to focus on clinical priorities without disruption.

The unprecedented drop in public satisfaction with general practice highlights the need for visible improvements in access and responsiveness. GPS supports this by ensuring that short-term staff absences or surges in demand do not compromise patient experience. Whether it’s cover during school holidays, sickness, or while embedding new contract requirements, our support helps practices maintain consistent and high-quality service.

Furthermore, GPS provides strategic advisory services to help practices plan and implement sustainable improvements—whether that’s meeting contract compliance, adopting digital transformation, or optimising back-office functions. In the context of the current reforms and evolving NHS expectations, this type of support is more important than ever.

By working alongside primary care teams, General Practice Solutions contributes to the sector’s resilience—helping ensure that practices not only weather the current pressures, but also position themselves for long-term success.

Click here to find out how GPS can support your organisation today.

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.

See the latest episode below!