A major investment of £102 million has been announced to help modernise and expand around one in six GP practices in England. The government says this is the largest investment in GP facilities in five years, with work expected to begin over the summer. The funding will support improvements such as converting office areas into consultation rooms and developing brand-new practice sites.

This move comes amid growing dissatisfaction with GP services, as recent figures show that 40% of GPs consider their premises unfit for purpose. Health Secretary Wes Streeting welcomed the funding as a “significant step” but acknowledged that the overhaul won’t resolve all the challenges facing primary care. He added that the improvements are possible due to recent financial decisions made during the Budget.

Medical leaders have expressed cautious optimism. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of the Royal College of GPs, said the funding was a “welcome short-term measure” but called for sustained investment to tackle outdated infrastructure that limits both staff efficiency and patient care. Similarly, the NHS Confederation stressed the importance of continued support for modern facilities and digital advancements.

Despite the investment, it remains unclear which of England’s 6,252 GP practices will receive funding. The announcement follows a separate £80m initiative launched last month to enhance community care and reduce hospital admissions.