GPs agree deal to improve weekend access

GPs have agreed a new contract which will mean they have to show they are keeping government pledges to improve patient access to family doctors at evenings and weekends.

The terms, which mean a 1 per cent pay rise from April, will also see a clampdown on spending on locum doctors.

Simon Stevens, NHS England chief executive, said the £220 million deal would involve “radical” changes including potential changes to working hours. Over the next four years GP practices will have to record their availability on evenings and weekends for “routine appointments” as part of efforts to increase patient access.

It follows a Conservative manifesto pledge to ensure patients can book routine appointments seven days a week by 2020.

They will also be required to record the number of times each year that a practice pays locums at rates above capped limits, which are yet to be agreed. Stand-in GPs have been offered rates of £1,800 a day to provide cover at evenings and weekends, with sums of £1,000 for newly trained doctors.

Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, said: “Today’s deal is just the start of significant new investment for general practice which will help GPs to provide a truly modern, efficient service every day of the week.”

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the British Medical Association GP committee, described the changes as “limited” but said they will give relief for hard-up practices in the short term.