More GP health checks to keep frailest patients out of hospital this winter

Activism / 9 November 2026 Your Party’s petition calling for inquiry into British complicity in Gaza genocide smashes 100,000 threshold 9 November 2026 Britain / 9 November 2026 Post about melting down Nigerians ‘not grossly offensive,’ suspended Reform councillor claims 9 November 2026 Justice System / 9 November 2026 Home Office consultation into spycops inquiry is attempt to shut it down, campaigners say 9 November 2026 Politics / 9 November 2026 Reform Scotland deputy leader branded ‘disgrace’ after accusing government of ‘genocide’ 9 November 2026 Britain / 9 November 2026 Trident nuclear weapons could be disrupted by industrial action, union claims 9 November 2026 THE government has announced £40 million to help GP surgeries support vulnerable patients this winter and keep them out of hospital.

The money, reallocated from existing GP budgets for the financial year to April 2027, will let practices identify and give extra care to those most at risk. 

Support will target patients with heart disease, frailty and lung conditions such as emphysema and COPD, including medication reviews, health checks and nurse-led respiratory clinics, for up to 300,000 people. 

Groups of GP practices can get £126 for each eligible patient supported.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was “not going to pretend this winter will be easy,” but that the programme would help keep people well at home. 

Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said it would support the frailest patients in the community, alongside flu vaccinations and extra urgent care capacity.

A Royal College of Nursing spokesperson welcomed the scheme, but said it needs to be the beginning of “long-term investment in the general practice nursing workforce.”

They said: “As winter fast approaches, measures to keep patients out of hospital can’t come a moment too soon. 

“This investment will rely on the whole general practice workforce to be a success, and it’s vital that nursing is at the heart of planning and decision-making in all elements of primary care.

“While this announcement will help boost short-term capacity, it needs to be the start of long-term investment in the general practice nursing workforce, many of whom are running on empty. 

“This, alongside new funding to grow the number of district nurses, health visitors and other vital staff in the community — whose numbers have collapsed in recent years — is how we keep pressure off overwhelmed A&Es for good.”