I am sure we are all evaluating the effect of the recent Budget, and trying to work out the financial impact on our practices. This is a triple whammy, and we should not ignore the financial implications that it will cause.

Budget 2024

Firstly, the National Minimum wage is going up well above inflation and we will see a big hike in our costs. As many receptionists are either on or just above the current minimum wage, Primary Care will be affected.

There will then be pressure from other staff to maintain differentials - easier said than done!

Secondly, employers’ NI is going up from 13.8% to 15% which will affect all staff and will be a considerable increase to staffing costs, which is really a tax on surgery profits (providing they are making any!)

Thirdly, reducing the starting point for the payment of NI, from £9,100 to £5,000 for employers, will affect so many, as we have a lot of part-time staff.

Add all three together and it is not surprising that there is an outcry. This will result in either surgeries cutting staff, or in some cases, surgeries shutting. 

I read today that the Health Secretary Wes Streeting is well aware of the pressures on GP practices but cannot say if any of the increases will be reflected in the 25/26 increase, in the GMS figure.

Sorry, that is just not acceptable; how long do we need to wait to know what we can, or cannot afford?  

For the last two years the GMS settlement has not been confirmed in full until about September.

Unlike the government, we have to plan ahead, budget responsibly, and ensure we work within our means.

Surgeries are very worried that if nothing is done to offset some of these increases, they will have serious decisions to make, cutting staff, or actually handing back the contract.

If surgeries go to the wall, where will those patients be seen? 

Supermarket GP 

I have recently read about a supermarket group thinking of further rolling out the idea of a GP in store. They have trialled two with supposed success and in 2025 will try a few more.

The appointments would be either virtual, or face to face, but they are promising prompt appointments and low wait times.  

This is not an NHS initiative, but private health care, and this will bring problems for the NHS if not checked and regulated.

You can imagine John Smith paying privately when doing the weekly shop, to be told he needs this test or that test, or this medication, and then deciding not to pay for it, but instead going back to his own GP and telling us it is urgent.

This is so unworkable on many fronts and will mislead the public.

I have noticed another supermarket tried this back in 2011 and it was unsuccessful.

I have no problem with the private sector, my issue is they will try and use the NHS to cover their costs.