College welcomes review of ARRS funding

College Chair Kamila Hawthorne has welcomed Wes Streeting’s commitment to reviewing the ARRS scheme to allow more flexibility to hire GPs.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: "A week today we will be going to the polls and it is good to see general practice being part of the conversation in the run-up to the election. Our latest survey of members revealed that six out of 10 job-seeking GPs have struggled to find a vacancy over the past year. At the same time, millions of patients are waiting for appointments, and GP workload is at an all-time high. This situation is nonsensical. 

"That's why we’re pleased to see that Wes Streeting has heard our concerns and backed our calls to review ARRS funding to free up practices to recruit more GPs, which we so desperately need.

"This is a good first step, and it’s encouraging to see him recognise the need to increase the proportion of the NHS budget going to general practice. Whoever forms the next government must take urgent action to address the crisis in general practice so that we can do our jobs properly, and make sure patients receive the care they deserve."

Further information

RCGP press office: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editors

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 54,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.