Overview

• The NHS Advice and Guidance scheme has been scaled up across England with £80 million in funding to address record waiting lists of 6.24 million patients.
• GPs will receive £20 for each patient treated in the community rather than referred to hospitals, as part of efforts to shift care closer to home.
• The scheme enables GPs to consult specialists online or by phone to arrange tests and treatments locally, targeting conditions like menopause symptoms and ENT issues.
• Between July and December 2024, 660,000 treatments were diverted from hospitals, with the government aiming to increase this to two million by the end of 2025/26.
• While the initiative is welcomed, experts warn of potential delays in referrals and increased administrative burdens for GPs without additional resources.