GP contracts can be changed to ensure patients are seen more face-to-face

SAJID Javid is monitoring major changes to GP contracts to ensure more doctors can see patients in person.

He wants to put an end to the shameful postcode lottery that prevents millions of Brits from getting an appointment outside of Zoom.

Large parts of the country have a huge shortage of full-time GPs, which is further fueling the problem.

The Health Minister is considering a series of reforms to put an end to the scandal.

One option is to change GPs' contracts so that they are “incentivized” to work from part-time to full-time.

While they could also be offered lucrative bungs to move to depressed areas.

And a lot of attention will also be paid to getting more face-to-face appointments by general practitioners.

A government source said the aim is to give patients “more choice” so that older patients are not forced to go online if they really want to see a doctor physically.

But the number of face-to-face appointments “is expected to increase.”

Whitehall insiders insisted that changing GP contracts is just one of the options being looked at.

With Number 10 already bracing for a “summer of discontent” from the militant railway unions, they also don't want a fight with the doctors' unions.

So they are expected to try to entice GPs to increase their hours and be more flexible, rather than ordering them to do so.