Many practice premises in England are too small for the number of patients using them, a survey shows today.

The online survey, carried out by the British Medical Association late last year and published today (20 February), had 1,011 responses from GPs and practice managers.

Seventy-eight per cent of participants said their practice is “not suitable to meet future needs or anticipated population growth”. Only half of the GP practice buildings were considered fit for purpose.

Overall, 80% of practices are purpose-built premises, built on average 35 years ago. The last “significant modification or extension to premises” happened most often in the mid-2000s, the BMA says.

Top requirements, according to respondents, are: more space, more consulting rooms, improved access for disabled patients, and expanded and improved patient waiting and reception areas, according to the survey. Applications to NHS England for improvement grants are usually not responded to for several months, and sometimes up to two years, practices reported. Invoices for hiring charges for NHS premises are frequently inaccurate and not easily resolved.

Dr Richard Vautrey of the BMA called on the Government to use the spending review in March to increase investment in GP premises.

He says: “GPs have been telling us for years that their practice buildings are not up to scratch, and now we have evidence showing just how serious the situation is.

“Despite their best efforts, GPs and their teams are ultimately limited by space, and cannot meet the growing needs of their patients without an urgent increase in capacity.

“The government must use next month’s spending review to urgently invest in practice premises – as well as wider NHS infrastructure – to bring facilities up to 21st century standards and ensure that GPs and their colleagues throughout the health service can guarantee the best care now and in the future.”