Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of reimbursements provided to GP surgeries by NHS England to cover the cost of a locum while a GP takes parental or sickness leave.

General practitioner (GP) practices are entitled to claim reimbursement from NHS England for the cost for providing cover when a GP is on parental or sickness leave. The British Medical Association’s general practitioners committee were consulted on these payment arrangements, which are set out the in General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements (No. 2) Directions 2021. Any changes to these payment arrangements would be subject to consultation with the general practitioners committee.