GPs to offer 300,000 vulnerable patients extra winter support

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 8 Nov, 22:50 · Archive

The NHS is allocating £40m for GPs to provide extra care to 300,000 vulnerable patients to prevent winter hospital admissions.

The NHS is allocating £40m for GPs to offer extra support to 300,000 vulnerable patients in England this winter. The scheme will provide health checks, medication reviews, home assessments and nurse-led respiratory clinics designed to prevent avoidable hospital admissions.

The funding, reallocated from existing GP budgets for 2026-27, is targeted at patients with heart disease, frailty, emphysema and other types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Groups of GP practices can receive £126 for each eligible patient supported. The initiative forms part of wider winter preparedness measures, with the NHS receiving £190m in the Budget to manage winter pressures, alongside £140m for 14 new urgent care schemes.

Andy Burnham, the prime minister, acknowledged that 'this winter will not be easy' for the health service but said the programme would help by reaching vulnerable people early. He stated: 'If we want to take the pressure off our hospitals this winter, we've got to keep people well at home.'

How it is being reported

• The Morning Poll: Do you think more home visits from GPs will successfully keep patients out of hospital over winter?The Morning Poll: Do you think more home visits from GPs will successfully keep patients out of hospital over winter?Daily Mail · 8 Nov, 23:45
• Andy Burnham to unveil GP boost to support up to 300,000 vulnerable patients this winter including home visitsAndy Burnham unveiled a £40million boost to help GPs proactively support people with conditions including heart disease or frailty through health checks, home assessments and medication reviewsThe Mirror · 8 Nov, 22:35
• GPs to offer 300,000 patients extra support to ease winter strain on NHS£40m scheme in England aims to keep most vulnerable people well at home and avoid unnecessary hospital stays Hundreds of thousands of vulnerable patients in England are to receive extra support from their GP as part of a £40m drive aimed at keeping them out of hospital this winter. As the NHS gears up for the pressures of the coming months, family doctors will offer 300,000 people with frailty and long-term conditions health checks, medication reviews and respiratory tests designed to prevent avoidable hospital admissions. Continue reading...The Guardian · 8 Nov, 22:30

In this story: Andy Burnham · NHS · England · Department for Health and Social Care

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