As we move through May, several significant developments have taken place across the UK’s primary care landscape. From new parliamentary inquiries to mental health campaigns and updates to the NHS’s long-term strategy, this week offers a glimpse into how the sector continues to evolve in response to workforce, access, and care delivery challenges.

Parliamentary Inquiry Launched to Address Access to Primary Care

On 12 May, Policy Connect, in collaboration with the All-Party Parliamentary Health Group, launched a cross-party inquiry titled ‘Improving Access to Primary Care Services’. This inquiry seeks to tackle longstanding barriers in accessing services across general practice, pharmacy, optometry, and dental care. A key focus is developing resilient, long-term policy solutions that address regional disparities, ongoing workforce shortages, and deepening health inequalities.

A critical statistic underscores the urgency: since September 2015, England has seen a net reduction of 1,557 fully qualified full-time equivalent GPs. As the government prepares to publish its long-awaited 10-year plan for the NHS, the inquiry will also assess whether forthcoming reforms can realistically address such systemic issues.

NHS Reports Significant Drop in Long Wait Times

NHS England’s latest operational figures show encouraging progress in tackling the longest waits for treatment. By the end of March 2025, patients waiting over 65 weeks dropped to 7,381—a reduction of nearly 85% compared to the same period last year. Similarly, the number of patients waiting more than 52 weeks fell to 180,242, down from over 309,000.

Despite these gains, the total NHS waiting list still stands at 7.42 million. The Department of Health and Social Care has set an ambitious target to bring this number down to 4 million by 2026, thereby reinstating compliance with the 18-week treatment standard.

NHS 10-Year Plan Under Revision Amid Concerns

The government’s upcoming 10-year plan for the NHS is currently undergoing redrafting, following criticism that earlier versions lacked policy depth. Chris Thomas of the Institute for Public Policy Research has been appointed to oversee revisions. Among the anticipated features of the plan are improvements to the NHS App to enhance functionality around appointment bookings and symptom checking.

The broader strategy aims to transition care away from hospitals and into community settings, emphasise prevention, and digitise service delivery. However, implementation is likely to be staggered due to financial pressures and the urgent need to clear existing treatment backlogs. Full reforms may not take shape until at least year four of the plan.

Overseas Recruitment Ban Sparks Concern Across Care Sector

Another major development is the government’s decision to end overseas recruitment for care workers in the near future. While the intention is to clamp down on exploitation, the move has sparked considerable concern among care providers who rely heavily on international staff. The 2022 visa route had helped mitigate staffing shortages, and its removal could create serious disruptions, particularly in adult social care, which in turn may impact NHS capacity by increasing hospital discharge delays.

Mental Health Awareness Week Emphasises Community Connections

Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 is taking place from 12 to 18 May, focusing this year on the theme of community. The campaign highlights the crucial role of social connection in maintaining mental wellbeing and aims to spark conversations that reduce stigma and promote access to support services. For primary care providers, this is a timely reminder of the value in integrating community-based approaches into everyday mental health support.

Celebrating International Nurses Day

On 12 May, the sector celebrated International Nurses Day, spotlighting the vital role of nurses in primary care. This year’s theme centred around the health and wellbeing of nursing professionals themselves—an increasingly pressing issue amid workforce pressures. The campaign sought to highlight the economic and health system benefits of investing in nursing, particularly as nurses continue to take on expanded roles in chronic disease management, vaccination, and preventative care.

Looking Ahead

This week’s developments underscore a renewed national focus on access, reform, and workforce sustainability within primary care. As inquiries are launched and long-term strategies are re-evaluated, the sector remains poised for significant structural change. Providers and commissioners alike will need to stay agile as policy shifts continue to reshape the landscape.

For tailored support in navigating these changes, from workforce planning to policy compliance and CQC readiness, General Practice Solutions remains committed to supporting primary care organisations across the UK. Click here to see how we can support your organisation.

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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