Written Question·Department of Health and Social Care·UIN 121261

General Practitioners

Tabled: 16 March 2026
Answered: 30 March 2026

Question

James McMurdock

Independent — South Basildon and East Thurrock

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the impact of levels of access to GP appointments in influencing patients’ decisions to attend accident and emergency departments for non-emergency conditions.

Answer

Stephen Kinnock
National Health Service guidance is clear that patients should only attend accident and emergency (A&E) for emergencies that cannot be dealt with by a patient’s general practice (GP), NHS 111, or walk-in centres. GPs are independent contractors to t...
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