The Department of Health has announced an additional £40 million over two years to improve patient access and primary care activity. This funding aims to make it easier for patients to get appointments with their general practitioners. The new contract includes £17.384 million for the 2026/27 General Medical Services Contract, with £13.3 million going into core GP services.
The funding is intended to end a 12-month dispute between the Department of Health and the NI General Practitioners Committee. The NIGPC had previously voted in favor of collective action due to insufficient funding. The new funding is seen as a step towards rebuilding a constructive relationship between the parties.
However, some GPs argue that the funding falls short of what is needed. They claim that general practice in Northern Ireland receives less than 6% of the entire health budget, which is insufficient to meet growing demand. They suggest that at least 10% of the health budget, or £80 million per year, is necessary to adequately fund the number of doctors required.
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