GPs' 'breakthrough' deal will end 8am rush to see doctor

A REFORMED contract for GPs has been hailed as a "breakthrough moment" by the Health Secretary.

- By Hanna Geissler

Wes Streeting said the new deal would bring to an end “the 8am scramble” to get an appointment.

He said it would resolve the dispute GPs have had with the Government, which has seen them take “collective action” such as limiting the number of patients each medic sees.

The British Medical Association and the Government agreed the new deal at a meeting on Thursday. It includes an extra £889million in funding for the year 2025 to 2026.

Ministers said GPs would now be free “to take the first steps to end the 8am scramble for appointments”.

Mr Streeting said: “We’ve just agreed a deal with GPs on their contract and on the reforms that will deliver the end to the 8am scramble – actually, the first time a contract has been signed with GPs since the pandemic.