Increasingly drastic access challenges to primary care services are exacerbating health inequalities and undermining trust in public health institutions and policymakers – parliamentarians must act to develop a cross-party consensus on policy that ensures equitable, efficient, and sustainable access to primary care. 

Cross-party think tank Policy Connect and the All-Party Parliamentary Health Group have launched a new inquiry, ‘Improving Access to Primary Care Services’, to develop coordinated policy solutions that deliver lasting improvements in primary care services beyond electoral cycles.  

The inquiry is co-chaired by Dr Simon Opher MP (Labour), Sadik Al-Hassan MP (Labour), Jess Brown-Fuller MP (Liberal Democrats), and Lord Kamall (Conservative) – representing a cross-party commitment to tackling the challenges facing primary care. Experts from a broad range of sectors influencing the primary healthcare landscape are included in the inquiry’s steering group*, with the University of Essex and Assura also sponsoring the inquiry. 

Despite its importance to NHS service provision, primary care – encompassing general practice, dental care, optometry, and pharmacies – faces significant access challenges due to rising demand, workforce shortages, and regional disparities. The COVID-19 pandemic and declining rates of financial investment have amplified these issues, particularly in deprived areas, worsening access inequalities and exacerbating health disparities that cost the UK economy approximately £106.2 billion annually. 

Frequent political and funding disruptions have impeded sustained progress and intensified workforce shortages – as of September 2024, NHS England had 1,557 fewer full-time equivalent fully qualified GP’s than in September 2015. Systematic health inequalities have also accelerated, with a lack of NHS dental provision leading to an increase in ‘DIY dentistry’, with 9.4 million adults in the UK reportedly attempting their own dental procedures. The forthcoming inquiry will seek to overcome persistent barriers to primary care provision by developing strategic, politically resilient recommendations through cross-sectoral engagement with stakeholders. 

Recent policy initiatives, alongside Government efforts to deliver a 10-Year Health Plan for the NHS, have demonstrated a focus on localised, community-based services, integrated multidisciplinary teams, and addressing health inequalities. Improving Access to Primary Care Services will critically assess these initiatives and the Government’s long-term NHS plans to ensure primary care services become sustainably accessible and equitable, identifying necessary further governmental actions. 

The inquiry will look holistically at the challenges facing primary care services, producing evidence-based policy recommendations that aim for long-term improvements in patient experience, workforce sustainability, and service integration. 

Dr Simon Opher MP, Inquiry Co-Chair says:  

“Knocking on thousands of doors before the election last summer, by far the most common complaint that constituents raised was that they couldn’t get access to their GP. 4-6 week waits for appointments are not unusual and GP services remain the gateway to the NHS for 95% of patients. The present situation is unpopular, untenable, and unsafe. 

As a GP who has worked in the NHS for 30 years, it was the state of the NHS that drove me into politics. This inquiry will aim to determine how GPs can better serve their populations, and what policy changes are needed to make this happen.” 

Lord Kamall of Edmonton, Shadow Health and Social Care Minister and Inquiry Co-Chair comments: 

“As the House of Lords Shadow Health Minister, I am interested in where we can build cross-party consensus to improve our system of health and care. When I was Minister for Technology at the Department of Health and Social Care, I was committed to finding ways to better use technology and move away from the outdated model of primary care where many patients must call their GP at 8am in the hope that they can get an appointment that day. It seems crazy that many surgeries do not offer the ability to book in advance or online, especially via the NHS app. 

Given that many patients who book primary care appointments are then referred either to a secondary care specialist or to a pharmacy, I hope this inquiry will be able to suggest solutions to addressing this potential bottleneck based on using current and future technology, on evidence and on a basis of cross-party consensus.” 

Jess Brown-Fuller MP, Liberal Democrats spokesperson for Hospitals and Primary Care and Inquiry Co-Chair says: 

“I’m proud to have joined the Primary Care inquiry led by the All-Party Health Group. As the Liberal Democrats spokesperson for Hospitals and Primary Care, and as a representative of many concerned residents in Chichester, I see this as an important opportunity to explore the challenges facing primary care in the UK. I’m pleased that there is cross-party support to hear evidence from professionals and experts across the sector. I look forward to future meetings and to sharing the inquiry’s findings.” 

Sadik Al-Hassan MP, Inquiry Co-Chair notes: 

“As a pharmacist for nearly two decades, not only do I have an interest in primary care, but I have a great deal of experience in dealing with other healthcare professionals across my career. That’s why I know how important this inquiry is to help us produce recommendations that will reshape our health landscape so that it is fit for the needs and demands of 2025. I look forward to engaging with other experts and finding a path forward for better patient care and outcomes in our National Health Service.” 

Jasmin Adebisi, Policy Manager (Health) at Policy Connect and lead researcher for the inquiry outlines: 

“Improving access to primary care has long been a shared priority across the political spectrum, and it’s clear that only through cross-party consensus can we achieve lasting, meaningful reform. Breaking down barriers to care and tackling deep-rooted health inequalities isn’t just essential for patients and the NHS, it’s fundamental to the productivity and resilience of our wider economy. Everyone deserves the right to high-quality, timely healthcare regardless of where they live or who they are. I’m looking forward to working alongside our parliamentary co-chairs, our sponsors, and all stakeholders to develop actionable recommendations. Policy Connect and the All-Party Parliamentary Health Group are proud to be hosting this important and timely piece of work.” 

Professor Mariachiara Di Cesare, Director of the Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing at the University of Essex, Inquiry Sponsor says: 

“We are delighted to support this inquiry, which aligns with our Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing at the University of Essex vision of promoting better health and wellbeing for all—locally, nationally, and globally. This initiative presents an opportunity to contribute our expertise and generate the evidence needed to ensure that care is both responsive to and reflective of the needs of our communities. We look forward to working with members of Parliament and colleagues across key sectors to develop recommendations that will meaningfully improve the health and wellbeing of our communities.” 

Assura, Inquiry Sponsor commented: 

“A growing body of research shows the primary care estate is ageing and needs investment to realise the Government’s vision of a neighbourhood health service to enable better health outcomes. We welcome the All-Party Health Group’s focus on this vital policy challenge and are pleased to join other stakeholders in exploring the issue and shaping solutions to help fix the front door of the NHS.” 

*Inquiry Steering Group

Professor Mariachiara Di Cesare - Director, Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex

Susan Mcpherson - Deputy Director, Institute of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Essex

Hayley Blackburn - Director of Public Affairs, Assura

Professor Kamila Hawthorne - President, Royal College of GP's

Malcolm Harrison - Chief Executive, Company Chemists Association

Dr Leyla Hannbeck - Chief Executive, Independent Pharmacy Association

Sharon Brennan - Director of Policy, National Voices

Patricia Miller OBE - Chief Executive, NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board

Dr Veline Lesperance - Senior Clinical Advisor and GP, NHS Race and Health Observatory 

Shawn Charlwood - Former BDA Chair, NHS Dentist and Board Member, British Dental Association (BDA)

William Pett - Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Research, Healthwatch England

Notes to editors 

For further information about the inquiry, please contact jasmin.adebisi [at] policyconnect.org.uk. 

For any comms enquiries, please contact james.taylor [at] policyconnect.org.uk. 

This report is kindly sponsored by the University of Essex and Assura. 

About Policy Connect 

Policy Connect is a cross-party think tank. We specialise in supporting parliamentary groups, forums and commissions, delivering impactful policy research and event programmes and bringing together parliamentarians and government in collaboration with academia, business and civil society to help shape public policy in Westminster and Whitehall, so as to improve people’s lives. 

Our work focusses on five key policy areas which are: Education & Skills; Industry, Technology & Innovation; Sustainability; Health; and Assistive & Accessible Technology. 

We are a social enterprise and are funded by a combination of regular annual membership subscriptions and time-limited sponsorships. We are proud to be a Disability Confident and London Living Wage employer, and a member of Social Enterprise UK. 

About the All-Party Parliamentary Health Group 

The All-Party Parliamentary Health Group (APHG) is an all-party forum dedicated to disseminating knowledge, generating debate and facilitating engagement on health issues amongst Members of Parliament. 

The APHG aims to provide a cross-party forum that brings together parliamentarians and senior health leaders to discuss key issues on the NHS, health reform and future trends. The agenda and activities of the APHG is set by its Parliamentary Officers, and Policy Connect has full editorial control over the outputs from work produced as a result of this agenda, such as reports.