To ask the Minister of Health when he plans to develop and publish a workforce plan for GPs.

I recognise the ongoing challenges facing General Practice and the impact that increasing demand and workload pressures are having on GPs. I also recognise the importance of a sustainable workforce for general practice and the need to build and sustain the GP workforce.

The Department of Health welcomed the publication of the Royal College of General Practitioners ‘A Workforce Fit for the Future’ Retention Strategy which made a number of useful recommendations.

My Department has taken forward a range of actions to address workforce and workload challenges, many of which are in line with recommendations set out in the RCGPNI Retention Strategy plan. These include:

Taking speedy action to progress the 2023/24 Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Board recommendation for GPs and applying a 6.0% uplift for GP pay. In addition, a 6% uplift for practice staff expenses and a 7.3% uplift for other expenses (3% recurrent) were also applied.

Agreeing the new 2024/25 General Medical Services (GMS) contract. A key aim of these new contract arrangements is to provide GPs with greater certainty over their income throughout the year, as well as reducing administrative burdens and associated costs to practices.

Focussing on building the GP workforce through funding a number of initiatives, including the Attract, Recruit and Retain scheme, GP Retainer Scheme, GP Mentor Scheme and GP Fellowship Scheme.

In September this year, my Department commissioned a second Fellowship Scheme for GP Practices in the Southern Trust area designed to attract salaried GPs to work in Practices which they have taken over due to contract hand-backs. The first round of recruitment has completed; with a second round now being worked through by the Federation.

Increasing the annual number of GP training places from 65 in 2015/16 to the current all-time high level of 121 (an increase of 86%).

Working with NIMDTA on innovations to the local GP training programme with the objective of enhancing the recruitment and retention of trainees in Northern Ireland.

In relation to GP training numbers, the GP Training Group, which includes the NI Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA) and GP representatives including RCGPNI, will make recommendations on the number of GP training places required for the 25/26. It will also progress work to project the number of GP training places required over the next 5 years.