April 22nd 2026

By Ailsa Colquhoun

DDA issues call to action to English local election candidates

In a manifesto for the local government elections taking place on May 7, the Dispensing Doctors' Association (DDA) calls on local politicians to recognise that rural people are failed by health policy and to correct the resulting health inequalities. 

Issued on behalf of rural GPs, the new manifesto calls on returning and new local politicians to raise their voices on behalf of rural constituents. The call to action urges them to work with the DDA to create a GP service that always takes into account the unique needs of rural dispensing GP patients.

The DDA’s manifesto makes 10 recommendations to reduce inequalities in rural healthcare services in England. These recommendations are designed to support positive change in four areas:

• Quality
• Cost-effectiveness
• Safety
• Innovation

Download the DDA manifesto 

The list of scheduled elections is available on the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government 

Resources to support dispensing GPs in local lobbying are available to download 

Local candidates' contact information is available from the Electoral Commission