Weekly Summary for Week Commencing 10th November 2025

This primary care update summarises the key developments shaping general practice this week. As highlighted across recent NHS primary care news, surgeries continue to manage rising winter pressures, new contractual requirements and growing administrative challenges. Despite these difficulties, practices remain focused on maintaining safe access and consistent care for their local populations. The themes below reflect the main issues affecting practices and Primary Care Networks across England.

Primary Care Update – Contractual Access Targets and Practice Pressures 

This week’s primary care update has been heavily influenced by discussion around the all-day access requirements in the 2025/26 GP contract. The mandate requires practices to maintain full availability of telephone and online access throughout the working day. Many practices believe these standards are difficult to achieve without additional staffing or investment.

Several practice managers have reviewed internal triage models to identify safe ways to manage higher demand. Some have introduced clearer systems for distributing work between clinical and administrative teams. Others have adjusted staff rotas so that morning surges can be handled more effectively. These changes offer short-term relief, but most practices agree that structural support will be required if the access standards are to be sustained.

Online Consultation Mandates and Professional Response

Another focus within this primary care update is the British Medical Association’s decision to oppose mandatory full-day online consultation availability. Many GPs believe the requirement is unrealistic without matched workforce expansion. They warn that unlimited inflow of online requests could create unsafe clinical pressures.

Some practices have responded by reviewing how their online consultation templates are structured. They are working to reduce inappropriate submissions and ensure that requests are easier to triage. Others are strengthening patient signposting on their websites so individuals understand when digital contact is appropriate.

Workforce Pressures, Recruitment and Retention Concerns 

Workforce issues continue to feature prominently in this primary care update. The forthcoming 10-Year Workforce Plan has generated mixed responses from clinicians. Many GPs have expressed concern that the plan lacks detail on long-term recruitment and retention, particularly in areas already experiencing shortages.

Practices across the country are struggling to recruit both clinical and administrative staff. Newly qualified GPs often seek structured training posts or portfolio roles, leaving fewer applicants for traditional surgery-based roles. Administrative recruitment has also become more challenging. Frontline staff face high call volumes, longer queues and complex digital tasks, which makes these roles demanding and sometimes stressful.

Leadership of Integrated Health Organisations

This primary care update also examines recent policy statements suggesting that GPs may be positioned to lead the proposed Integrated Health Organisations. These bodies will oversee population-level budgets and system-wide planning. The suggestion offers primary care an opportunity to influence national reform more directly.

Many practices welcome the recognition of GP leadership capabilities. However, several have raised concerns about the operational impact. Taking on significant strategic responsibility may reduce the time available for clinical work unless supported by additional infrastructure and staffing.

Appointment Data and Capacity Trends

New appointment data released this week shows that general practice continues to deliver high volumes of care. Surgeries are providing millions of appointments despite workforce gaps and a growing administrative workload. This trend remains a central theme in this primary care update and reflects the wider pressure on the sector as winter demand increases.

Practices are reviewing their appointment books to ensure they can balance urgent care with long-term condition management. Some have introduced clearer triage sessions. Others have refined duty doctor workflows to distribute work more evenly.

Primary Care update – Implications for Practice Management and Operational Support

The combined effects of contractual change, digital access requirements, workforce shortages and rising appointment volumes have placed significant strain on practice management. Many leadership teams are focusing on improving internal stability. Telephony systems are being reviewed to ensure they can handle heavy traffic. Care navigation processes are receiving closer attention to ensure patients are directed to the appropriate route of care.

A growing number of surgeries are exploring external operational support. This is becoming more common across the sector and is highlighted within this primary care update as practices seek scalable solutions to manage internal workload.

How General Practice Solutions Can Support

General Practice Solutions continues to provide reliable and flexible operational support as practices navigate a demanding period. Our telephony and care-navigation teams can manage high call volumes during peak times. This helps practices meet access expectations and reduces pressure on reception staff.

Our clinical coding and summarising service ensures timely, accurate and consistent record-keeping. Strong coding supports better clinical decision-making and improves data quality for QOF, IIF and long-term condition management.

We offer comprehensive administrative support, including document processing, online access preparation, vaccination recall planning and extended access coordination. These services help practices manage internal workload safely and efficiently. They also provide flexibility to scale support depending on demand.

This primary care update highlights the growing value of structured external support, particularly during winter. By stabilising internal processes, supporting staff wellbeing and strengthening operational resilience, General Practice Solutions enables practices and PCNs to maintain consistent, safe and effective care.

Tuesday Talks: Your Weekly Insight into Primary Care

Stay up to date with the latest developments in primary care with Tuesday Talks — our weekly series for healthcare professionals. Each episode highlights current industry news, NHS policy changes, and what these mean for general practice.

We also showcase how General Practice Solutions (GPS) is supporting practices with innovative services designed to meet today’s challenges. Whether you need expert commentary or practical guidance, Tuesday Talks provides timely, relevant content to keep you informed and prepared.

Watch the latest episode below and stay ahead in a fast-changing healthcare landscape.

Workforce Wednesdays: Practical HR Insights for Primary Care

Workforce challenges continue to shape the daily reality of primary care, and therefore Workforce Wednesdays provides a weekly series that explores the HR issues that matter most to NHS practices — from absence management and contractual changes through to employment law updates and staff wellbeing.

In each episode, you will not only find clear, practical guidance but also step-by-step support to help practice leaders manage staffing pressures with confidence. The content addresses both immediate concerns, such as day-to-day rota gaps, and longer-term workforce strategies, while also offering insights tailored specifically to the primary care setting.

Finally, by watching the latest episode, you can access up-to-date HR guidance that is designed to strengthen and support your team, and at the same time build a more resilient workforce for the future.

Welcome to Thoughtful Thursday, our weekly series celebrating the uplifting and inspiring moments from across primary care. In addition, each episode highlights stories of innovation, kindness, and community spirit that together showcase the very best of general practice.

This week, you will discover a moving story of compassion and real-world impact; moreover, it serves as a reminder of the dedication and resilience at the heart of our sector.

Ultimately, Thoughtful Thursday is a must-watch for anyone who believes in the power of care.