The expansion of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) programme will see new physiotherapy, social work and mental health roles working alongside existing teams in general practice.

Nesbitt said the MDT programme had delivered an additional 335,000 patient consultations in 2024-25 adding: ‘We can double that appointments total over the next four years and then push it up to the million mark within eight years.'

The health minister said the programme had also enabled 400 local projects, supporting more than 17,000 patients in 2024-25.

‘The implementation plan also sets out compelling evidence that the MDT programme helps stabilise pressurised GP services and reduce referrals to hospitals,' Nesbitt said.

‘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.'

The announcement came as GPs continued with collective action in a bid to win more funding for general practice having rejected a £9.5m additional funding offer in the 2025/26 GMS contract.

Nesbitt invited the BMA's leadership to take up his offer of ‘detailed talks' on a new 2025/26 contract.