26-hour weekly average for UK GPs drops from 30, with 32% rise in patient demand, prompting NHS plans to recruit 1,000 additional GPs and increase funding.

A University of Manchester study reveals a crisis in UK primary care, with General Practitioners (GPs) now averaging 26 hours per week, down from 30 in 2016. Despite a 32% rise in patient demand, GP hours have decreased by 2.7%. Contributing factors include early retirements, poor recruitment, and more GPs working part-time. The NHS plans to recruit 1,000 additional GPs and increase funding to address these challenges.