Written questions

General Practitioners and Primary Care: Equality

Lords · Question HL13727 · Tabled 20 Jan 2026 · Department of Health and Social Care · Official record

Answered 26 Jan 2026

Question

Asked by Lord Bird

To ask His Majesty's Government how access to GP and primary care services differs between areas of high and low deprivation; and what steps they are taking to address unequal access and capacity.

Answer

Answered by Baroness Merron, 26 Jan 2026

General practices (GPs) serving more deprived areas receive on average 9.8% less funding per needs adjusted patient than those in less deprived communities, despite having greater health needs and significantly higher patient-to-GP ratios.We recognise the...