Johnson plans 12 new GP practices

The first new GP practices are planned to open within 12 months

More patients will be able to visit GPs at evenings and weekends, and 12 new GP practices will be set up, under plans by Health Secretary Alan Johnson.

He has proposed extra GP practices in poorly-served areas and a £105m investment in clinical and GP services.

Mr Johnson said improving access to primary care was a "key priority".

New practices are planned in Rotherham, Birmingham, Middlesbrough, east London, Bury, Somerset, Telford, Bristol, Gateshead, Coventry and Lancashire.

The first were expected to open to patients within the next 12 months.

'Personalised care'

The health secretary plans to fund extra help for patients with heart failure, osteoporosis, learning difficulties, alcohol problems, and healthcare for minority ethnic groups.

He intends to use £50m of the proposed £105m to improve access to existing GP services, including extended opening hours.

Mr Johnson said: "We are not only committed to Britain's excellent family doctor system, but also to expanding it, encouraging GPs to provide more services, closer to where people live, so they don't have to make so many unnecessary trips to hospital."

"Evidence shows there is a direct link between low numbers of GP surgeries and poor health within a community," he added.

Some areas in England currently have 43 GPs per 100,000 residents, compared to 88 GPs per 100,000 in areas with the best coverage.

'Positive step'

The government added that it would also be considering the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body's annual recommendations for GP pay.

Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA's GP committee, described the funding of new GP practices in deprived areas as "a positive step".

"The local NHS must ensure the opportunity to bid for these services is made available on an equal and fair basis to existing GPs alongside commercial and other providers mentioned by the government," Dr Buckman said.

He welcomed the planned investment in clinical services as "sensible measures".

But Dr Buckman added: "Paying doctors fairly is a completely separate matter and we look forward to hearing what the government has to say on this."