DDA informs parliamentary debate on rural GP funding

Briefing information from the DDA was acknowledged in a parliamentary debate on funding for GP practices in rural areas.

Brought on Wednesday 11 February by Conservative MP for Tatton Esther McVey, the debate highlighted the increasing challenges for dispensing practices caused by lack of digitisation and unreliable Broadband in rural areas.

This was echoed by South Cotswolds MP Dr Roz Savage who told the debate about the vital local role of DDA member practice Tolsey Surgery in Sherston, which is at risk of closure.

During the debate, DDA chairman Dr Richard West was congratulated for winning the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) East Anglia Faculty GP Prize 2026 for his contribution to rural mental health and community-focused general practice.

Further information on the roll out of electronic prescription services across Great Britain is also available in a new DDA podcast.

In the debate McVey highlighted that the current GP funding model based on deprivation fails to recognise the complexity of rural practice. She called for a funding formula that correctly identifies the challenges rural GPs face.

The debate highlighted specific characteristics of rural GP practice including an ageing population, large practice areas, the lack of public transport, and digital challenges.

The debate also called on the DHSC to review the GP partnership and to assess the impact of any funding model changes on rural communities.

Responding, DHSC Minister for health and social care integration Karin Smyth quoted references to rural and coastal communities in the NHS 10-year plan, and government initiatives to support GP recruitment, practice refurbishment, digitisation and GP contract negotiations. She also promised progress on access to GP services in rural areas by the end of March.

View the debate on Parliamentlive.tv or read the meeting transcript

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