By Talking Health TV –

Biggest investment in GP facilities in five years aims to transform patient access and tackle NHS waiting times

Patients in West Yorkshire are set to benefit from nearly 350,000 additional GP appointments each year thanks to a multi-million-pound investment aimed at modernising surgeries and tackling NHS backlogs.

The move forms part of the government’s Plan for Change and marks the most significant investment in primary care facilities in over five years.

More than 1,000 GP surgeries across England will receive a share of a £102 million cash injection to refurbish and expand their buildings, including nearly £4.4 million allocated for West Yorkshire practices.

The funding will be used to increase capacity, improve accessibility, and make healthcare more efficient for both patients and staff.

Outdated Facilities Blocking Access

Currently, many GPs have the ability to take on more patients, but cramped and outdated premises limit their ability to do so.

The upgrades will include a variety of improvements designed to ease the pressure and allow for better care delivery.

Examples of planned work in West Yorkshire include:

• Full refurbishment of unused first-floor space to create six new clinical rooms, complete with lift and staircase for accessibility.

• Innovative reconfiguration of adjoining examination areas to deliver five new rooms for specialised care and social prescribing services.

These changes will significantly improve the use of space, allowing surgeries to see more patients more quickly and efficiently.

Fixing the System from the Ground Up

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “It will be a long road, but this government is putting in the work to fix our NHS and make it fit for the future.

“These are simple fixes for our GP surgeries but for too long they were left to ruin, allowing waiting lists to build and stopping doctors treating more patients.

“It is only because of the necessary decisions we took in the Budget that we are able to invest in GP surgeries, start tackling the 8am scramble and deliver better services for patients. The extra investment and reform this government is making, as part of its Plan for Change, will transform our NHS so it can once again be there for you when you need it.”

The initiative also supports broader efforts to shift care from hospitals into communities, increasing convenience for patients and easing pressure on secondary care.

Creating a Better Environment for Staff and Patients

Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, said: “We know more needs to be done to improve patient access to general practice and this investment in over one thousand primary care premises will help do this.

“Bringing GP premises up to a similar condition across England is important to improve patient experience of NHS services, while making primary care a better working environment as we seek to retain and recruit more staff.

“It will also help to create additional space and extend the capacity of current premises as we improve access further and bring care closer to the communities where people live as part of the 10 Year Health Plan.”

A key driver for the investment is Lord Ara Darzi’s independent report, which highlighted that outdated and inflexible GP buildings hinder safe, high-quality care and reduce efficiency.

Lord Darzi stated: “My review found that the primary care estate is simply not fit for purpose, with many GP surgeries housed in inflexible, outdated buildings that cannot enable safe, high-quality care.

Today’s investment marks a crucial turning point in addressing this long-standing issue, helping create the modern, purpose-built primary care facilities that patients and staff deserve.”

A Win for Patients

Rachel Power, Chief Executive of the Patients Association, welcomed the announcement: “Today’s investment in improving GP surgeries is a much-needed step towards better access to care closer to home.

“Our reporting shows nearly one-third of patients struggle to book GP appointments, and we have long highlighted what matters in healthcare facilities: truly accessible spaces where everyone receives care with dignity. The potential for 8.3 million additional appointments from these refurbishments will make a real difference to communities waiting for care.

“Crucially, it delivers on what patients themselves have called for: modern, accessible spaces that support high-quality care. We look forward to seeing these upgrades rolled out, with a continued focus on ensuring patients everywhere get timely support in settings that support their dignity. This investment represents a meaningful step toward realising what patients have long been asking for.”

What’s Next?

This is the first national capital fund for primary care estates since 2020 and is part of a broader support package that includes recruiting 1,500 new GPs and reducing bureaucracy.

The upgrades will begin in summer 2025 and be delivered throughout the 2025–26 financial year.

The government is also reforming the wider NHS, with measures such as cutting red tape through a new GP contract, expanding the NHS App, and empowering community pharmacists to treat routine conditions.

Over 3.1 million elective appointments have already been delivered since July 2024—six months ahead of schedule.

This investment marks just the beginning of a larger transformation, aimed at building a community-first NHS that is faster, fairer, and fit for the future.