Money saved on TERS must be channelled to support under-doctored areas, says College Chair

Publication date: 14 February 2025

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “TERS has provided our patients in more deprived areas, which are often some of the most ‘under-doctored’, with much-needed access to GPs, so it is disappointing that this scheme will not receive funding in 2025/26.

“TERS not only brought GPs to communities that desperately needed them, it also encouraged GPs starting out on their careers, who might be from these areas, not to move away but to play a vital role in their communities.

“We understand that funding is tight and difficult decisions have had to be made – and the rationale that in recent years all training places have been filled, in all areas of the country. But areas of higher deprivation still face significant challenges, including having higher patient-GP ratios, so it’s important that the money being saved on TERS continues to be channelled into supporting general practice in these areas, for example, by expanding the number of training places available in under-doctored areas.”

Further information

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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.