Parents and caregivers who work full-time are expected to benefit from several changes in their local GP surgeries, according to government announcements made in Parliament. Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for the Department of Health and Social Care, disclosed a series of modifications aimed at aiding individuals in this group, preventing them from needing to sacrifice time from other essential responsibilities to seek medical care for themselves or their dependents.

Responding to a query from Labour MP Mark Sewards about facilitating access to GP appointments for full-time employees with caring duties, Kinnock highlighted the extension of core GP hours beyond regular work or school hours and the availability of additional appointments introduced over the past year as advantageous for these demographics.

Kinnock emphasized the department’s efforts to enhance general practice capacity to provide more appointments for patients, ensuring accessibility for everyone, including those who work full-time and have caregiving responsibilities. He noted that GP core hours now extend from 8 am to 6:30 pm Monday to Friday, surpassing typical working and school hours to cater to individuals with employment or caregiving responsibilities.

Furthermore, an investment of £82 million in October 2024 was made in the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme to facilitate the recruitment of over 2,000 additional GPs across England, enhancing appointment availability. Practices are now mandated to offer online services throughout core hours, reducing morning congestion and offering patients more flexibility.

Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are required to provide appointments beyond core hours, including weekends, to accommodate those who work full-time or have caregiving responsibilities. The government reported recruiting over 2,000 additional GPs nationwide between October 2024 and July 2025, aiming to alleviate the strain on GPs who typically manage around 2,300 patients each, potentially creating 4 million extra appointments annually.

Moreover, surgeries are now mandated to maintain operational digital consultation platforms all day, eliminating the morning rush and allowing patients to book appointments, raise concerns, and describe symptoms online at their convenience. This digital approach aligns with work and caregiving commitments, offering a more flexible alternative to traditional in-person or telephone consultations.