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Measles was previously banished from the UK, but now it’s back (Image: VIJ via Getty Images)
The Department of Health and Social Care has announced it will provide “additional support” to GPs in safeguarding children against life-threatening illnesses, following a measles outbreak in north London. Modifications to the GP contract are expected to protect thousands of youngsters nationwide from “deadly and highly infectious diseases”, according to the department.
The Department of Health and Social Care has revealed plans to bolster support for general practitioners to enhance child safety against serious illnesses following a measles surge in north London. Anticipated adjustments to the GP framework aim to safeguard numerous children across the country from “lethal and highly contagious diseases,” as stated by the department.
This initiative arises in response to the measles outbreak in Enfield, where 50 cases have been confirmed as of February 16, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The outbreak has largely affected unvaccinated children, with the Department of Health and Social Care highlighting that severe instances have led to hospitalizations due to “a serious but preventable disease.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized, “Vaccinations are safe and they save lives. The resurgence of diseases we believed to be eradicated, leading to children being hospitalized, is completely preventable.
“Through our investment and updates in general practice, GPs will be equipped to safeguard children and mitigate the risk of additional outbreaks similar to what we’ve seen in Enfield. Every child merits a healthy, joyful start to life.”
The updated GP contract for 2026/27, anticipated to be disclosed this week, will offer increased support for GPs to “preserve young lives and shield families from preventable diseases.” This will be executed by enhancing vaccination efforts in the most at-risk communities, as confirmed by the department.
Measles can be very serious (Image: Alamy/PA)
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‘Improvement incentives’
The DHSC confirmed the forthcoming GP contract will “help change this by providing improvement incentives that recognise those practices making progress”. These additional funds can be deployed to “reinvest in outreach” and to “follow up with families with unvaccinated children”.
Measles is ‘re-established’ in the UK (Image: Alamy/PA)
The department added that improvement payments will equip GPs with the necessary resources to safeguard children currently being overlooked, and “reduce health inequalities that leave some babies at far greater risk than others simply because of where they live”.
Ruth Rankine, director of the Primary Care Network and neighbourhood lead at the NHS Confederation and NHS Providers, said: “Primary care leaders welcome this announcement and see it as a fair and supportive approach for general practice, particularly for those working in communities with high levels of unmet need.
“Increasing childhood vaccination uptake can be challenging, especially in areas where coverage has fallen and the risk of outbreaks has risen, so additional support for practices to work with families will be vital in helping protect babies and children from serious, preventable diseases.”
The measles outbreak follows the World Health Organisation’s announcement that the UK is no longer considered to have eliminated measles.
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