Ten GP practices in Luton are to receive a share of a nation-wide £102million government fund aimed at modernising 1,000 surgeries and delivering millions more appointments across England.
The investment is part of the Utilisation and Modernisation Fund, which is backing upgrades to GP surgeries across the country to help meet growing demand for appointments and bring NHS primary care services closer to patients’ homes.
Thhough full details on each upgrade have not been publicly itemised, the Luton surgeries that will benefit from funding are Bushmead Medical Centre, Barton Hills Medical Group, Churchfield Medical Group and Larkside Practice, Leagrave Surgery, Malzeard Road Medical Centre, Neville Road Surgery, Pastures Way Surgery, Stopsley Village Surgery, Whipperley Medical Centre, Woodland Avenue Practice.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said the improvements were part of the government’s wider Plan for Change for the NHS.
“It will be a long road, but this government is putting in the work to fix our NHS and make it fit for the future,” he said.
“These are simple fixes for our GP surgeries but for too long they were left to ruin, allowing waiting lists to build and stopping doctors treating more patients. It is only because of the necessary decisions we took in the Budget that we are able to invest in GP surgeries, start tackling the 8am scramble and deliver better services for patients. The extra investment and reform this government is making, as part of its Plan for Change, will transform our NHS so it can once again be there for you when you need it.”
Earlier this year, the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) had previously warned that local primary care capacity lagged far behind population growth, with an estimated £180million needed to bring the region in line with national averages.
The funding is being praised by national health bodies and experts as a necessary first step in reversing years of underinvestment in GP infrastructure.
“Primary care is the front door of the health service and has been managing increasing demand,” said Ruth Rankine, Primary Care Director at the NHS Confederation. “A historic lack of capital funding in estates has been one of the biggest barriers to improving productivity.”
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, added that many GPs report their premises are no longer fit for purpose, limiting services and training capacity.
“Today’s announcement is an encouraging interim measure that shows the government is listening,” she said.
Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS England’s lead for primary care, said the upgrades would improve working environments and create much-needed space:
“We know more needs to be done to improve patient access to general practice… Bringing GP premises up to a similar condition across England is important to improve patient experience.”
Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patients Association, noted the importance of dignity and accessibility in healthcare settings:
“Crucially, it delivers on what patients themselves have called for: modern, accessible spaces that support high-quality care.”
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