GPs’ warning over cost of more care in community

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 26, 2026

A report by the Royal College of General Practitioners reveals that UK GPs are struggling with rising demand, staff shortages, and insufficient investment, which threatens the government's plan to expand community-based healthcare. Despite government funding increases and recruitment efforts, experts warn that without more support, GPs will continue to face high stress and limited capacity to provide preventative and continuity care.

General practitioners (GPs) across the United Kingdom are facing significant challenges that may hinder the government’s ambitions to shift more healthcare from hospitals to community settings, according to a recent report by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). The report highlights growing pressures on GPs due to rising demand, workforce shortages, and wide-ranging changes within the healthcare system.

The RCGP emphasized that investment in general practice has not kept pace with the goals set by governments in all four UK nations. These goals include delivering more care within communities, increasing the use of technology, and focusing on illness prevention. However, the report warns that without adequate resources and support for general practice, these ambitions may not be achievable.

A survey of over 1,500 RCGP members revealed that only about one-third of GPs felt they had sufficient time to build patient relationships during consultations, while approximately 70% reported lacking the time to provide preventative advice. Furthermore, more than 20% of respondents indicated that they experienced stress levels high enough to feel unable to cope on most days.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, president of the RCGP, stated that despite the shared commitment to shifting care closer to patients’ homes, significant changes are needed for general practice to meet these objectives effectively. She noted concerns about the prevailing emphasis on rapid access to appointments, which she argued overlooks other essential aspects of care such as continuity—especially important for patients with complex health conditions. Continuity of care, she said, not only benefits patients but also has positive implications for the wider National Health Service (NHS).

Tzortziou Brown also stressed the value of the expertise GPs bring and the long-term relationships they develop with patients, which are critical components in providing high-quality, preventative care. She called for increased investment to address workload pressures, enhance digital infrastructure, and ensure sufficient GP numbers to support service transformations.

Responding to the concerns, the Department of Health and Social Care highlighted ongoing investments and reforms. It reported that over the past two years, £1.7 billion had been channeled into general practice, alongside £100 million allocated for surgery refurbishments. The government noted the recruitment of more than 2,800 additional GPs, marking the highest number of fully qualified practitioners since 2015. It also cited efforts to reduce administrative burdens to allow GPs more time with patients and pointed to record appointment numbers and positive patient feedback, with 77% expressing satisfaction with their local GP services.

The department acknowledged that more work remains and pledged continued collaboration with the RCGP and other partners to rebuild and modernize the NHS. The upcoming RCGP annual congress, set to begin in Glasgow, is expected to focus on these issues as stakeholders seek ways to support general practice amid evolving healthcare demands.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.