£61m boost to primary care will double patient appointments, says Health Minister

Hundreds of thousands of extra patient appointments will be created across Northern Ireland as part of a major investment in primary care services, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced.

Unveiling a new implementation plan for the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Programme, Mr Nesbitt confirmed £61 million in Executive transformation funding has been secured to accelerate the expansion of MDT services.

The initiative brings additional physiotherapists, social workers and mental health professionals into GP practices, working alongside existing primary care teams.

The Minister described the MDT model as a long-term reform designed to improve health outcomes and strengthen GP services.

“We can see that the MDT programme is making a significant difference. In the areas it has already been rolled out to, it delivered an additional 335,000 patient consultations in 2024-25,” Mr Nesbitt said.

“We can double that appointments total over the next four years and then push it up to the million mark within eight years. That ambitious projection is included in the implementation plan.”

Supporting communities and stabilising GPs

The MDT model not only boosts clinical capacity but also enhances collaboration with the community and voluntary sector. According to the Department of Health, over 400 local projects have been supported under the scheme during 2024-25, benefiting more than 17,000 patients.

Mr Nesbitt said the initiative has proven to help “stabilise pressurised GP services and reduce referrals to hospitals,” offering a more sustainable path for the health system.

Despite facing ongoing financial and staffing constraints, the Minister confirmed that progress is now firmly back on track.

“Progress on implementing the MDT model has been constrained by funding and staff availability. However, this year I have been able to secure £61m of Executive transformation funding to push ahead with expansion.”

He acknowledged frustrations within the GP community over health service pressures, but urged collaboration on long-term solutions.

“I know GPs are frustrated at the current serious pressures and the budget shortfall across health and social care this year.

“But I can assure them that I am determined to deliver on a neighbourhood centred system of health and social care. I want to involve and empower GPs at every step of this process.”

The Minister also renewed his call for GP leadership, including the British Medical Association (BMA), to begin detailed discussions on a new GP contract for next year.

“My focus on successfully expanding the MDT programme is proof of my commitment to expanding primary care overall. We need to deliver more services closer to communities and help people stay well. The contribution of GPs is central to that.”

MDT roll-out timeline

The MDT programme is already operational or under development in seven GP Federation areas: Down, Derry, West Belfast, Causeway, Newry, Ards and North Down.

The new £61m funding will allow expansion into five more areas:

• North Belfast

• South West (Fermanagh/West Tyrone)

• East Antrim

• Craigavon

• Armagh and Dungannon

According to the newly published Multi-Disciplinary Teams in Primary Care Implementation Plan (2025–2033), the rollout will proceed in two phases:

• Phase 1 (2025/26 to 2028/29): Completion in the seven current areas and expansion to the five new areas.

• Phase 2 (2029/30 to 2032/33): Full implementation in the remaining five GP Federation areas.

This means all GP Federations in Northern Ireland are set to benefit from MDT services within the next five years, with full implementation expected over an eight-year period.

The full implementation plan can be read on the Department of Health’s website:

Multi-Disciplinary Teams in Primary Care Implementation Plan | Department of Health