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.
This follows the measles outbreak in Enfield, where 50 confirmed cases have been recorded up to February 16, based on UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data. The outbreak has predominantly impacted unvaccinated youngsters, with the DHSC noting that severe cases have resulted in children being hospitalised with « a serious but preventable disease ».
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: « Vaccinations are safe and they save lives. The return of diseases we thought we’d defeated, with children in hospital as a result, is entirely preventable.
« With our investment and modernisation in general practice, GPs will be backed to protect children and prevent the risk of further outbreaks like we’ve seen Enfield. Every child deserves a healthy, happy start to life. »
The revised GP contract for 2026/27, set to be announced this week, will incorporate additional support for GPs to « save young lives and shield families from preventable illness ». This will be achieved through enhanced vaccination delivery in the most vulnerable areas, the DHSC confirmed.
Measles can be very serious (Image: Alamy/PA)
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Under the existing arrangements, only GP surgeries achieving high vaccination targets receive additional incentive payments. In areas with lower vaccination rates, surgeries frequently « miss out » on earning extra payments, even when they demonstrate year-on-year improvements in vaccination uptake.
‘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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