Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help improve staffing levels at GP surgeries to ensure ring timely access to women's health services.

The Government committed to recruiting over 1,000 recently qualified general practitioners (GPs) through an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme over 2024/25, as part of an initiative to address GP unemployment and secure the future pipeline of GPs. Since 1 October 2024, 851 full-time equivalent (FTE) GPs have been recruited through the scheme.

In addition, for GPs employed by practices directly, as of January 2025, there were 573 more fully qualified, FTE GPs working in practices in England compared to July 2024.

The recruitment boost, part of the Government’s Plan for Change, will help to end the scandal of patients struggling to see a doctor, easing pressure on GPs and cutting waiting times. Alongside changes to the GP Contract for 2025/26, these additional GPs will help end the 8:00am scramble for appointments which so many patients currently endure every day.

The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health as we reform the National Health Service. Women's health is included the Royal College of General Practitioners’ curriculum for trainee GPs, including gynaecology, menopause, sexual health, and breast health.