30th March 2015
Over 1,000 GP practices across the country have had funding bids approved from a total of £190 million NHS investment, direct into premises projects during 2015/16. Of these practices, two are in line for investments worth £5m each; the funding was first announced in the chancellor’s Autumn Statement. A further 32 projects – some involving multiple practices – have been given between £1.1m and £5m, while 48 are getting between £501,000 to £1m; around 300 will receive between £100,000 to £500,000, while 328 will receive less than £100,000.
NHS England said the projects approved were both for new buildings and improvements to existing ones, aiming to increase space so that practices can offer more appointments or care for more frail elderly out of hospital. Applicants had to demonstrate the extent to which investment would increase patient contact time and help reduce emergencies for the over 75s. The body announced that ‘the funding will help to improve their premises to benefit both patients and professionals working in primary care – either through making improvements to existing buildings or through the creation of new ones. It will also help practices to harness technology and give practices the space to offer more appointments and improved care for the frail elderly in the community – essential in supporting the reduction of hospital admissions. A £190m investment will be made in 2015/16 with additional funding going towards improving IT, through the Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund.’
No further detail was provided on the proposed projects to be undertaken by the practices, the largest amount of funding, over £5m each, has been awarded to Practice One based in Bridlington in east Yorkshire and the Bolton Community Practice in Greater Manchester. GPC Chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul remarked upon the result as a step forward after 12 months of campaigning: “The 1,000 practices who will be receiving grants through this year’s Primary Care Infrstructure Fund will be the first beneficiaries of this campaign and their successful applications are a significant step forward. However, there is still a long way to go before all GP facilities are fit for purpose to provide patients with the level of service they need, including the kind of out of hospital care envisaged in the Five Year Forward View.”
An alleged £10m of the infrastructure fund has been allocated to the 10-point GP workforce plan.