England GP Contract: Same-Day Access & Warning Over Workload

GPs in England will be contractually obligated to offer same-day appointments to patients with urgent health needs beginning in April 2026, under a new agreement between the government and general practices. The move, announced on February 24, 2026, is backed by a £485 million increase in core practice funding – a 3.6% cash increase – representing the second real-terms increase in GP funding in two years, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.

The contract aims to improve access to primary care and address concerns about delays in receiving timely medical attention. The government states the intention is to ensure that individuals requiring prompt assessment and treatment can receive it quickly. Specifically, the new requirements mandate that practices achieve same-day appointments in 90% of urgent cases, acknowledging a 10% allowance for situations where appointments are impractical, such as patients calling late in the day or being unable to attend.

Urgent cases are defined as those where symptoms suggest a need for treatment to start the same day, or where a delay in assessment could lead to deterioration. Examples provided include a child presenting with a high fever and rash, or a frail elderly person experiencing sudden confusion.

While the government frames the changes as a positive step towards “fixing the front door to the NHS,” medical leaders have expressed reservations. The British Medical Association (BMA) cautioned that the policy risks creating unrealistic expectations, given the existing pressures on general practice. Concerns center on the potential for increased workload and the capacity of practices to meet the new demands without further strain on already stretched resources.

The funding boost of £485 million is intended to help practices recruit more doctors and increase capacity. Nearly £300 million of existing funding will be redirected towards GP practices specifically for recruitment, potentially supporting the equivalent of around 1,600 full-time GPs across England. A key change is the expansion of the Additional Roles and Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) to include experienced GPs, not just newly qualified doctors, broadening the pool of potential recruits.

The move to guarantee same-day appointments builds on existing practices where GPs already allocate a portion of their daily appointments for urgent cases. However, until now, there has been no formal requirement to measure or achieve a specific percentage of same-day access. The new contract introduces this accountability measure, requiring practices to monitor their performance and strive for the 90% target.

The government’s broader strategy, as outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan, emphasizes a shift in focus from hospital-based care to community-based primary care. This contract is presented as a key component of that plan, aiming to strengthen the role of GPs in delivering accessible and preventative healthcare services.

The total increase in spending on primary care under the current government now totals £1.6 billion over two years. This investment reflects a recognition of the crucial role GPs play in the healthcare system and a commitment to improving access to primary care services for patients across the country.

However, the success of the new contract will depend on addressing the underlying challenges facing general practice, including workforce shortages and increasing patient demand. The BMA’s concerns highlight the need for realistic expectations and adequate support for practices to implement the changes effectively. Whether the policy will genuinely improve patient access or simply add to the pressures on an already overburdened system remains to be seen.

Patients are now able to book appointments online, but access remains a challenge. The new contract aims to address this, but the BMA warns that the policy could create unrealistic expectations given the current state of GP services.