Extra funding for general practice will be restricted next year to limited areas of the country, including London, it has been announced.

During that period the cash will only be available for “improving access” schemes, NHS England said.

Only in 2018 will the increased funding be extended to the whole country, offering £6 per patient to develop “additional capacity” in practices and improve access.

The proposals emerged from NHS England’s planning guidance released yesterday and setting out its plans up to 2019.

NHS England said a city-wide programme of improving access would begin in London this year.

The funding for the projects stands at £138 million for next year and will increase to £258 million in 2018.

The proposals also require clinical commissioning groups to draw up local action plans for developing general practice.

Director of primary care Dr Arvind Madan said: “We know that general practice is under pressure and we are determined to maintain the momentum in turning things around, as started with the launch of the General Practice Forward View.”

The proposals were welcomed by the Royal College of GPs as an “important next step.”

Chair Dr Maureen Baker said it should have a “real and positive impact” on GP working lives and on services.

She said: “We are encouraged by the confirmation that proposals for extended hours will not be a three-line whip for all GPs but be determined by local need, with the promise of appropriate funding.”