GPs don’t have time for NHSE ‘modernisation’ work, say ICBs

GP practices with the most outdated technology and processes do not have enough staff or funding to take part in NHS England’s performance recovery programme, integrated care boards are warning.

In new recovery plans which they were required to publish by NHSE, multiple ICBs have said that stretched capacity means hardly any practices have signed up to the “general practice improvement programme”, which is meant to help them implement the national primary care access recovery plan.

The ICBs pointed out that the programme is time consuming, and practices which take part are not always given funding to pay for staff time.

HSJ has reviewed the primary care recovery plans which all ICBs were required to bring to their board meetings in October and November, to explain how they were implementing the national plan published by NHSE in the spring.

NHSE’s plan sought to improve ease and speed of access through spreading “modern” methods and processes; as well as measures to save clinicians’ time, improving same-day access, and delivering more appointments.

But HSJ’s  review of the ICB plans found several warning that their uptake of the improvement plan was off track, especially for “intermediate” and “intensive” support, which require substantial time for the practices, and are likely to be required by those most in need of help.

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Source: HSJ, 12 December 2023