The group that represents many small practices has given a “broad” welcome to the government’s rescue plan for general practice – while calling for further action to cut red tape.

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens yesterday pledged to put an extra £2.4 billion into general practice along with a series of support measures.

The Family Doctors Association said continuity of care was central to the success of the project.

And it set out measures needed to reduce costs and red-tape for practices.

It said practice managers are “wilting” under the “extraordinary and arcane” system of claiming for reimbursement.

It also called for the practice inspection regime to be “lightened up,” stating there was no cogent evidence that it cut risk or saved lives.

The FDA backed the idea of adding mental health workers to practices and also of improved access to services for GPs.

And it warned that employing pharmacists could help – but needed funding.

The FDA said redesign of services must be “imaginative and free-thinking” as well as well funded, warning that otherwise it would merely be like the rearrangement of deckchairs on the deck of a sinking ship.

Chairman Dr Peter Swinyard said: “The Family Doctor Association reminds NHS England that Continuity of Care is the essential building block for a cost effective primary care system.

“We therefore urge Simon Stevens to put this at the centre of these welcome changes.”