The government has announced that more than 1,000 newly qualified GPs will be recruited thanks to action to remove red tape currently preventing surgeries from hiring doctors.

Currently, under a scheme known as the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, primary care networks (PCNs) can claim reimbursement for the salaries (and some on costs) of 17 new roles within the multidisciplinary team – meaning more specialists are available to treat patients.

They are selected to meet the needs of the local population, but are currently prevented from using this to recruit additional GPs.

The new changes mean that newly qualified GPs can quickly be recruited into the NHS through this scheme in 2024 to 2025.

Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, said it is "vital" that GPs are given the resources to manage the increase in demand after the pandemic.

She said: “Adding GPs to the scheme is something that the profession has been calling for in recent months to make it easier for practices to hire more staff – so I welcome this measure which is an important first step to increasing GP employment in the long-term.

“We will continue to work with GPs, the BMA and the government to avert any potential action but in the meantime the NHS has a duty to plan for any possible disruption to ensure services continue to be provided for patients – so the public should continue to come forward for care in the normal way if collective action does go ahead.”

This is an emergency measure to ensure patients are able to access GPs and GPs are able to find roles, while the government works with the profession to identify longer term solutions to GP unemployment and general practice sustainability as part of the next fiscal event.

The government said they will ensure the NHS has the funding it needs to deliver this, paid for by £82 million from the existing department budget.

Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said it's "absurd that patients can't book appointments while GPs can't find work."

He added: “This government is taking immediate action to put GPs to work, so patients can get the care they need.

“This is a first step, as we begin the long-term work of shifting the focus of healthcare out of hospitals and into the community, to fix the front door to the NHS."