BMA survey finds half of GP premises not fit for purpose

Half of GP surgeries in England are not fit for current use and more than 80% cannot accommodate future demand, according to a survey by the British Medical Association (BMA).

The survey of nearly 2,000 GPs and practice managers found widespread concern about the condition of premises, with reports of mould in waiting areas, cracked walls in treatment rooms and insufficient workspace for staff.

Only 50% of respondents said their premises are suitable for present use, while 83% believe they cannot meet future demand. More than 80% reported not having space for additional staff, and almost three quarters said they cannot provide training facilities for new GPs.

Funding was identified as a major barrier to improvements. Since 2022, 42% of applications for premises funding have been rejected, despite most requests being for less than £150,000.

The survey also highlighted disputes with Department of Health and Social Care-owned companies NHS Property Services (NHSPS) and Community Health Partnerships (CHP) over what practices say are inaccurate service charges. Examples include bills for lift maintenance in buildings without lifts. More than half of NHSPS tenants and a third of CHP tenants, who responded to the survey, said the disputes are threatening their sustainability, with some practices considering handing back their contracts.

BMA General Practitioners Committee England premises policy lead Dr Gaurav Gupta said:
‘This survey shows a system at breaking point. Patients deserve to be seen in safe, modern surgeries that allow GPs and their teams to focus on what matters most, but instead they are being cared for in buildings that are simply not fit for purpose and were never designed to meet modern health needs.

‘Staff have told us about working out of converted containers, in cramped rooms, and kitchens that can barely fit one person, which makes it hard to provide the safe, confidential, and dignified care that patients deserve. Many surgeries cannot house additional GPs and other staff, meaning patients face longer waits and fewer services close to home – directly undermining the government’s 10-year plan, which places neighbourhood health services at its core.

‘Training new GPs is almost impossible when practices have no space for them, threatening the future supply of family doctors. At the same time, practices are being drained by unfair and inaccurate service charges, forced to spend precious time disputing bills rather than focusing on patient care.

‘This is not just about bricks and mortar, this is ultimately about patient care. We urgently need substantial investment to modernise GP surgeries, clear action to free up space by removing paper records, and resolution of service charge disputes that have gone on for years.’