Patients most “in need” should be able to see the same doctor at every appointment in their local GP surgery, the government says.GPs will be rewarded financially if they do this and if they go “above and beyond” preventing common killers like heart disease or treating high blood pressure early, it says.The measures are included in proposed changes to the GP contract in England – the government says it will add an extra £889m to the existing budget.The doctors’ union, the BMA, which will now consult its members on the proposals, says GP practices have been worried about finances but this could provide “an important lifeline”.At the moment, GPs in England are taking collective action and working to rule.Under this new contract, the government wants to:reduce the number of targets that GPs have to meetallow greater flexibility for surgeries to employ healthcare staffensure surgeries allow patients to get in touch electronically, as well as over the phone or in person during working hourshelp patients with complex needs and long-term conditions see the same staff at appointmentsThe previous Conservative government pledged to make it easier for patients to contact their named GP and end the 8am rush for appointments.Bringing back the family doctor and ending the early morning scramble for appointments were also key manifesto commitments for Labour. Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting called on GPs to end their collective action, work with government and “get the NHS back on its feet”. He said: “General practice is buckling under the burden of bureaucracy, with …
