National Health Service Regulations

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering Excerpts

Tuesday 16th September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con)]

My Lords, I remind the House of my interest with the Dispensing Doctors’ Association. What assessment have the Government, in particular the Minister, made of the way in which the GP contract will impact on rural doctors—not least the Dispensing Doctors’ Association, which cannot even access the EPS system at the moment, which is obviously disadvantaging its patients?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The expectation is that all GPs, including those in rural areas, will benefit greatly. The premise of the 10-year plan, which was announced recently, is to improve patient access. That is a particular issue in rural areas and is absolutely key, no matter where you are—whether you are appearing in person, are seeking to get online access to your GP or are on the phone. Remember, this is all about, for example, ending the 8 am scramble. Noble Lords have been very critical and I share in their criticism. I think that, particularly in rural areas, where people face various challenges in getting around, these changes will improve things massively for both GPs and patients.