To ask the Minister of Health whether any assessment has been made of (i) changes in the workload of GP practices since the introduction of the Health and Personal Social Services (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004; and (ii) the extent to which responsibilities previously undertaken in secondary care are now being delivered within general practice.

I fully recognise the pivotal role that General Practice plays within our health and social care system. I am also very aware of the challenges facing General Practice and the impact of increasing demand and workload pressures.

While my Department has not undertaken an assessment specifically comparing GP workload at the time the GMS Contract Regulations (NI) 2004 came into effect with current workload levels, it routinely monitors pressures, activity and demand across General Practice through engagement with the profession and wider Health and Social Care partners.

I can assure you that my Department is continuing to take measures to secure improved sustainability of General Practice and support the delivery of these vitally important services. This includes a focus on increasing the capacity of Primary Care through reinforcing the GP workforce and increasing the range of healthcare professionals working in Primary Care, investment in General Practice, and the implementation of new and innovative ways of working.

The investment of £61m into the Primary Care MDT programme over a 5-year period will expand the range of services available in Primary Care and help address the high levels of demand being dealt with by our GP practices.

My Department has issued a best practice guide to GP practices to support General Practice in improving service delivery. ‘Making All Contacts Count’ promotes the use of activity data, demand and capacity planning, multidisciplinary working and quality improvement approaches to support Practices in managing workload and improving access for patients. Additionally, as part of the Managing Winter Pressures Northern Ireland Enhanced Service, participating Practices are required to review activity and workload data and identify opportunities to improve workload management. This aims to support planning for future primary care resources and services.

My Department continues to work with Health and Social Care organisations and General Practice representatives to support appropriate pathways of care and the delivery of services in the most appropriate clinical setting. A range of initiatives are in place to provide care closer to home and reduce avoidable demand on hospital services.

My Department will also continue to work with GPs as part of our ambition for General Practice to be at the heart of the neighbourhood model of care. A key part of the neighbourhood model will involve mobilising HSC funding to support the realignment of resources to deliver more care in the community. To support this, the system will work to move 2% each year from hospital based spend to community spend, delivered through the new neighbourhood model and the new Integrated Neighbourhood Teams. Policy guidance has been drafted to support HSC Trusts in planning for this realignment over the three year period commencing in 2026/27.

It is recognised that General Practice has evolved significantly since the introduction of the General Medical Services Contract. My Department is committed to working with GP representatives to develop a longer-term contract model that supports the sustainability of General Practice into the future.