Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment the Government has made of the extent to which the recruitment and retention of GP receptionists is adequate to meet the needs of patients.

No specific assessment has been made. General practitioner practices are independent contractors and determine receptionist staffing levels to meet the needs and obligations of the contract. However, the Additional Reimbursement Scheme allows general practices to recruit a variety of non–medical primary care staff. These roles may contribute to the running of the practice, such as assisting with administrative processes and duties.