This week brought several significant developments within UK primary care. From financial uplifts to technology rollouts and concerns about patient satisfaction and mental health provision, the landscape continues to evolve rapidly. Below is a summary of the key updates affecting general practice and wider primary care services.

GP Contract Uplift and Financial Commitments

NHS England has announced a substantial increase in investment for general practice in the 2025/26 financial year. A total uplift of £889 million has been confirmed across the core General Medical Services (GMS) contract and the Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service (DES), bringing the estimated total contract value to £13.176 billion. This represents a 7.2% increase in funding.

This funding package is designed to cover staff salary increases, rising premises costs, and support the ongoing implementation of the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS). An additional £80 million has also been allocated to expand the Advice and Guidance service, which facilitates clinical input from specialists to help GPs manage patients within primary care and reduce unnecessary hospital referrals.

National Expansion of the Advice and Guidance Scheme

In line with the focus on community-based care, the Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed the nationwide expansion of the Advice and Guidance scheme. This initiative allows GPs to consult directly with hospital specialists to support care delivery outside hospital settings. Data from the second half of 2024 shows that around 660,000 patients avoided hospital referrals through this scheme. The government has set a target of up to 2 million such interventions by the end of 2025/26, aiming to keep more patients within the remit of primary care and reduce pressure on secondary services.

Patient Satisfaction in General Practice Declining

A recent report by the Institute for Government has shed light on declining levels of patient satisfaction within general practice. Only 31% of patients reported being satisfied with their GP services, and just 23% expressed satisfaction with waiting times. A notable drop in face-to-face consultations—from over 80% in 2019 to just 66.2% currently—has been identified as a key factor.

While remote consultations have enabled practices to manage growing demand, the shift has not been well-received across all demographics, with older patients in particular expressing a preference for in-person appointments. This trend suggests the need for a more balanced approach that accommodates patient choice while addressing capacity challenges.

Unacceptable Delays in Children’s Mental Health Services

New figures published by the mental health charity Mind reveal troubling delays in access to care for children and young people. Over 150,000 under-18s have been waiting more than two years for NHS mental health treatment. In total, 609,000 children are currently on waiting lists for support with conditions such as eating disorders, anxiety, and self-harm.

These delays are exacerbating the mental health crisis among young people, with many deteriorating while awaiting assessment or treatment. The data has reignited calls for urgent investment and reform in children’s mental health services, with a focus on early intervention and equitable access.

Mental Health Diagnosis Comments Spark Backlash

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, faced widespread criticism this week following remarks suggesting that the UK is “massively overdiagnosing” mental illness, including autism and ADHD. Farage claimed that many diagnoses are being made inappropriately, often following Zoom calls with GPs.

Mental health charities, including the National Autistic Society and Rethink Mental Illness, have strongly rebutted these claims. They emphasised that GPs are not responsible for making autism diagnoses and highlighted the significant wait times patients currently face for specialist assessments. The comments have been described as misinformed and potentially harmful, particularly in the context of an already overstretched mental health system.

Technology Rollout to Address 8am Bottlenecks

In response to longstanding concerns about the 8am scramble for GP appointments, NHS England has begun a national rollout of new technology aimed at streamlining patient access. These upgrades are intended to ease demand pressures by modernising booking systems and ensuring patients can access timely care through more flexible channels.

The goal is to reduce stress for both patients and practice staff by making appointment scheduling more manageable, ultimately improving the patient experience and supporting more efficient use of practice resources.

Approval of Ribociclib for Early Breast Cancer

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved the use of ribociclib (Kisqali) for patients in England with early-stage hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. This decision is expected to benefit up to 4,000 women each year whose cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and who meet certain high-risk criteria.

Clinical trial data indicates that ribociclib, when used alongside an aromatase inhibitor, may reduce the risk of cancer recurrence by nearly 29% compared to hormone therapy alone. The decision has been welcomed by clinicians and cancer charities, who see it as a major step forward in offering more effective early treatment options.

As general practice continues to respond to growing patient need and changing healthcare expectations, these updates underscore the importance of sustainable funding, integrated services, and technological innovation in supporting the future of primary care in the UK.

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.

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