Responding to the publication of Dr Claire Fuller's stocktake, interim chief executive of NHS Providers Saffron Cordery said:

"Trust leaders will welcome the findings of the Fuller 'stocktake' which sets out how primary care can work with partners across health and care to best meet the needs of their local communities.

"Dr Fuller is to be commended for running an inclusive process which involved the expertise of patients, clinicians and health and care organisations, including providers.

"This stocktake makes clear that the fortunes of primary and secondary care are interlinked.

"As we seek to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and bear down on care backlogs, trust leaders are steadfast in their commitment to working with colleagues across primary care to drive forward preventative care, reduce waiting times and support people while they are unwell.

"The welcome focus in the stocktake on creating neighbourhood health teams to offer continuity of care and support those with complex, ongoing health needs is essential and will help to tackle the health inequalities which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"But with just over a month to go before integrated care systems become statutory bodies on 1 July, we now face the challenge of making this vision a reality.

"First and foremost, Dr Fuller's stocktake underlines the need to tackle the serious challenges facing those who need to access same day, urgent care. This is no small undertaking and will require collaboration across mental health, community services, primary care and secondary care if it is to succeed. The stocktake is clear that step creates the workforce capacity for other recommendations to happen. Success will tackle the variation in access to same-day care between different practices and localities.

"Nor does Dr Fuller's report shy away either from highlighting the national support needed to help support primary care, including the need for investment in estates and workforce, including a more locally flexible approach to additional roles, which will be especially welcomed by trust leaders and those leading primary care organisations, including networks and federations."