The GPFV remains a much-needed lifeline for general practice but we are now calling for a radical overhaul of the GPFV.
The transformational ambitions of the GPFV must not be lost and we still believe it is the best platform by which to invest in general practice. However, if we are to enable true transformation we must invest in increased capacity in primary care.
Most urgently, there are now 1000 fewer GPs working in England than when the GPFV was released, meaning that urgent action is needed to expand the workforce. The declining workforce has increased the workload pressure on those who remain in the profession.
Though the current £2.4bn extra investment in the GPFV is welcome we are concerned that patients are not sufficiently feeling the benefits. As plans are drawn up to spend the additional money committed to the NHS by the Prime Minister, the vital importance of general practice must be recognised.
That is why we're now calling for £2.5bn extra a year to be ploughed into general practice services by 2020/21, bringing investment up to £14.5bn a year. This would constitute 11% of the overall NHS budget, bringing funding in line with what it was in 2005.
How will the General Practice Forward View improve the patient experience?