Northern Ireland invests £40m to improve GP appointment access

The Department of Health (DoH) in Northern Ireland announced a new contract with general practitioners (GPs) aimed at making it easier for patients to secure appointments, BBC Health reported.

The DoH will provide an additional £40 million over two years to enhance patient access and primary care activity, with £20 million allocated annually, according to BBC Health.

The 2026/27 General Medical Services Contract has a total in-year value of £17.384 million, including £13.3 million of recurrent funding directed to core GP services, the DoH stated.

Robbie Butler, a health minister, welcomed the Northern Ireland General Practitioners Committee's commitment to rebuild a constructive working relationship and to end collective action taken by GP partners last year over funding concerns, BBC Health noted.