In response to the publication of the 10 Year Plan, Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell, our CEO, said:
“I welcome the Health Secretary’s acceptance in the new 10 Year Health Plan that there is a need for change and long-term planning across the Government’s approach to health and health outcomes. Continuing with past policies, priorities, and contracts is unsustainable and will worsen health outcomes, deepen inequalities, waste resources, and drive staff attrition. Prioritising health is the only viable path—tech innovation and balancing the Treasury’s books must not come at the cost of safe, effective patient care.
“General practice, at practice-level and at-scale, is central to the Government’s goals and must be supported, not sidelined. I urge Ministers to reflect on Lord Darzi’s recent comments on the cost-effectiveness and strong financial management of general practice and the independent contractor model.
“To improve health outcomes and support economic growth, GPs need time and capacity to rebuild relationship-based continuity of care—care that is truly holistic, manages both acute and chronic illness, prevents illness and disease, and empowers patients. To drive down health inequalities, GPs need time to foster strong relationships and engage deeply with their communities.
“As coordinators of care, GPs see first-hand how siloed systems and poor collaboration harm patients and waste resources. We need joined-up working across professions and with patients, grounded in mutual trust, respect, and understanding. Recognising the value of general practice—both at the individual practice and network level—is key to building integrated care in our communities.
“Regionally, we’re making progress in correcting misconceptions about general practice, highlighting system-wide issues, and helping partners understand our role, value, and the constraints that limit us. GPs know their communities and already deliver holistic care for complex, long-term needs—unlike hospitals.
“Real change will only come by giving those closest to the challenges the autonomy and resources to co-create solutions – enabling clinicians and patients to work together. We need time to innovate, collaborate, test, learn and adapt. And once we have identified solutions, we need aligned contracts, policies, and regulation to adopt and spread what works. We will be liaising with GPCE regarding potential changes to national contracts as details become available. And continue working with system partners in London. In any changes, function must lead form.
“While GPs are uniquely positioned to deliver and coordinate care in our communities, innovate to meet local needs, and reduce health inequalities, we are concerned about potential aspirational top-down changes and are carefully considering the measures set out in the plan and the potential implications for Londoners and general practice in the Capital.
“There will undoubtedly be elements of the 10 year plan that will cause concern, and we will be seeking assurances that new proposals won’t undermine the patient-centred work already underway across London. Yet another top-down reconfiguration, however well intentioned, risks undoing progress already achieved in London on system collaboration, digital and data innovation and patient care.
“As the plan’s implications are evaluated, we will continue to work with our LMCs and system partners to stay focused on supporting London practices, and protecting and strengthening general practice’s ability to deliver high-quality, community-based local care across London.”