Government pledges more GPs as NHS reports modest workforce gains

The Department of Health & Social Care reiterated that boosting GP numbers remains a top priority, citing a total of 38,706 GPs in June 2026 - the largest tally since 2015 - while full-time equivalent qualified GPs stand at 29,008, a slight dip from 2015 but up from a June 2023 low. A petition launched on April 14, demanding more doctors, clearer referral pathways and integrated primary-community-secondary care, has exceeded the 10,000-signature threshold for a formal response.

In its reply, the government outlined a suite of reforms, including a Single Point of Access model for non-urgent specialist referrals, enhancements to the NHS App for tracking referrals, and a Practice-Level GP Reimbursement Scheme that now covers locums and allows funding pools. Additional training capacity will bring 250 new GP specialty places in September 2026, aiming for 5,000 places by 2028. The statement also promised to restore continuity of care by re-introducing the “family doctor” model and reducing bureaucratic burdens on GPs.