The BMA has highlighted “slow progress” with delivery of some projects under the government’s Estates and Technology Transformation Fund, in its monitoring of what has been achieved in the year since the GP Forward View was launched.
The association looks at how the programme has delivered so far across six key strands, including practice infrastructure and the funding set aside to help improve technology and premises in general practice.
Our CEO, Jonathan Murphy says: “The Estates and Technology Transformation Fund promised a very welcome shot in the arm for GP surgery building extensions, refurbishments and improvements but recent analysis suggested that only 5% of funding allocated so far has gone into projects to make premises better. We’re very proud to be partners on some of the projects which are moving through but the speed of the process, and the fact that demand for this funding will far outweigh supply, are clear challenges. With so many GPs crying out for more space and improvements to make their buildings work better for patients, the important thing is to keep momentum going with a range of solutions to bring in capital – especially in light of Sir Robert Naylor’s recent review of NHS estate which found that without improvement, primary care buildings aren’t fit to deliver the Five Year Forward View.”
- Read our response to Sir Robert Naylor’s report
- Read Jonathan Murphy’s blog: Naylor: the primary concern