A national initiative aimed at supporting GPs to deliver more care locally and reduce NHS hospital waiting times is being expanded, the government has announced. With £80 million in funding, the scheme aims to support up to two million patients by the end of the 2025/26 financial year.

The ‘Advice and Guidance’ system enables GPs to consult with hospital specialists directly before referring patients, helping to manage conditions such as menopause, IBS, and ear problems more efficiently in the community. The approach is designed to offer quicker care, minimise unnecessary hospital appointments, and ease pressure on stretched NHS services.

Between July and December 2024, the scheme reportedly diverted over 660,000 cases away from hospitals. Common examples include patients needing earwax removal or hormone therapy advice, who can now be supported in local hubs rather than waiting for hospital referrals. GP surgeries can claim £20 per case, which may include multiple consultations with specialists.

Health Minister Karin Smyth described the scheme as part of a broader effort to “rewire the NHS” and improve access to timely treatment. Meanwhile, health bodies welcomed the move but stressed the need for clear patient communication and long-term investment in primary care to truly restore and protect the role of the family GP.