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# Lichfield MP hopes funding will help restore number of in-person GP appointments
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/lichfield-mp-hopes-funding-will-help-restore-number-of-in-person-gp-appointments/
- Published: 2021-10-15T10:19:39.000Z
- Updated: 2021-10-15T10:34:00.000Z
- Description: Lichfield’s MP says he hopes to see GPs delivering the same number of face-to-face appointments as they did pre-pandemic before too long.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Health, Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 19:15, News

Lichfield’s MP says he hopes to see GPs delivering the same number of face-to-face appointments as they did pre-pandemic before too long.

Michael Fabricant made his comments after the Government rolled out plans for a £250million winter package of support.

![Michael Fabricant](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/img_20190524_093739.jpg)

Michael Fabricant

The Conservative MP had [previously spoken of concerns that some GPs had been “taking advantage”](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/lichfield-mp-fears-some-gps-could-be-taking-advantage-of-pandemic-changes-to-avoid-offering-in-person-appointments/) of measures introduced to use remote consultations during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Fabricant said he recognised the challenges doctors had faced, but added that he hoped to see the number of patients being seen in-person return to previous levels sooner rather than later.

> “GPs have probably had the most difficult 18 months in living memory. Throughout the pandemic, General Practice was forced to adapt in order to continue delivering care to our communities, keep vital services going and put millions of jabs in arms.  
>  
> “Their workload – and for those of the nurses and administrators in GP practices – has been phenomenal.  
>  
> “However, as I have mentioned back in September, I am receiving complaints from some constituents – not many but a significant minority – about their inability to see a GP face to face.  
>  
> “I am aware that we do not have as many GPs as we need. Nevertheless, the latest data shows that there are now 1,200 more full time equivalent GPs than there were two years ago and last year a record-breaking number of doctors started training as GPs.  
>  
> “The Government has committed to further increasing the number of training places to 4,000 a year.  
>  
> “Of course, many consultations can be done remotely and we should also make full use of our pharmacists who are well trained and will soon be given additional powers to prescribe medicines just as they do in continental Europe.  
>  
> “But it is important that patients are able to see doctors face to face and I hope that we will soon be returning to the same number of consultations that we had a couple of years ago.”  
>  
> Michael Fabricant MP

Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Health, said the new funding would help GPs meet demand over the winter period.

> “I’m determined to ensure that patients are able to see their GP in the way they want, no matter where they live.  
>  
> “The plan we have announced is a statement of recovery and reform, not just for this winter but for the years to come.  
>  
> “We are investing £250 million in a Winter Access Fund to improve the availability of GP practices and increase the number of face-to-face appointments, while also investing in technology to make it easier for patients to see or speak to their GP.  
>  
> “The UK Health Security Agency has carried out a review of Covid control measures for GPs and primary care providers, and has published recommendations which will further enable face to face consultations, where it is safe to do so.   
>  
> “We know how challenging the past 18 months have been for GPs and their teams, including the disgraceful incidences of staff facing abuse and violence while trying to do their jobs. This Government has zero tolerance for this utterly unacceptable behaviour. To support practices we are providing £5m of capital funding for them to invest in extra security measures.  
>  
> “Our plan recognises that General Practice is the cornerstone of our NHS, and demonstrates this Government’s commitment to helping staff deliver for patients.”  
>  
> Sajid Javid MP