In October, 2,000 more GPs were hired, which has led to millions more GP appointments for patients. Seeing as the average GP is responsible for 2,300 patients, the new tranche could deliver over four million additional appointments each year.

With this, new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that the number of patients who found it difficult to contact their practice has fallen from 18.7 per cent in July/August 2024 to 10.6 per cent in May/June this year. This shows that the ‘8am scramble’ is improving.

Additionally. 96.3 per cent of patients who tried to contact their practice in the past four weeks were successfully, and those who had a poor experience of their GP practice fell from 15 to 10.9 per cent in the same period.

In May 2025, 12,000 more GP appointments were carried out every working day compared to May 2024.

Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said: “We said we’d deliver 1,000 more GPs this year—and we’ve busted that target, bringing 2,000 more GPs on board. With proper investment and reform we are turning the tide on our NHS, and patients are beginning to feel the benefit.

“We still have a long road ahead, and this government is determined to keep our foot on the gas.

“Our Plan for Change will deliver this progress, creating a Neighbourhood Health Service that puts GPs at its heart and makes sure the NHS is there for everyone, whenever they need it.”