Seven general practices in Northumberland are set to receive funding for improvements as part of the Primary Care Infrastructure Fund.
The seven practices will receive improvements to the buildings they are housed in, after bids from the practices, supported by the Northumberland CCG, were accepted.
Dr Alistair Blair, chief clinical officer of NHS Northumberland CCG, said: 'This is great news for patients, and will make a real difference both to the quality of practice buildings and accessibility of appointments available to patients. The projects are all based on local need, with a shared focus on improving facilities and making it easier for patients to access healthcare in their communities.'
The funding will help primary care services reduce demand for A&E, with practices such as Brockwell Medical Group set to receive a new surgery building to house community services such as a walk in centre.
Dr Aamir Munir of the Brockwell Medical Group said: 'We are delighted to have received agreement in principle from NHS England for our proposed relocation to the new Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital site. This is an exciting opportunity to support Northumberland's Primary and Acute Care Vanguard vision and deliver innovative and integrated healthcare in partnership with Northumbria Foundation Trust, Northumberland CCG and social services.'
Other practices set to receive structural improvements include Prudhoe Medical Group,
Tony Hockey, practice manager at Prudhoe Medical Group, said: 'Our GPs are very grateful and pleased following our successful bid and 30% contribution by the NHS to improve our consultation space to allow us to increase our specialist services we offer to our patients locally. We would like to continue to build and offer patients further services closer to home which may include registered and unregistered patients.'