Research indicates that most general practitioners (GPs) in the UK are unable to spend enough time with patients to discuss important health-related topics such as quitting smoking, improving sleep, or managing weight. A survey by the Royal College of GPs, which included 2,316 GPs from across the country, found that 75% felt they lacked the time to provide preventative healthcare, such as lifestyle advice or guidance on vaccinations. The pressure on GPs, combined with the typical 10-minute appointment slots, means they often miss opportunities to talk about physical activity or review medications to ensure they are still necessary. The head of the Royal College of GPs noted that the time required to explore patients’ health more thoroughly and provide advice on long-term wellness is often limited due to the demanding schedules of family doctors. Prof Victoria Tzortziou Brown, president of the Royal College of GPs and a GP in east London, explained that general practice is under immense pressure, and in a busy consultation, GPs must prioritize the most urgent issues. While GPs will always address symptoms or findings that need immediate attention, the time to take a more comprehensive approach to long-term health is often limited. She emphasized that meaningful discussions about health require time, but in a busy surgery with a long list of patients, GPs often cannot go beyond the issue a patient has come in for that day. Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of the King’s Fund, a health thinktank, said the findings are concerning, particularly as the UK has one of the lowest life expectancies among comparable countries. Many GPs feel overwhelmed and may be missing opportunities to detect conditions early, which could be treated more effectively. Woolnough noted that GPs are frustrated by the growing demand for appointments, which makes it hard to provide the holistic care they were trained to deliver. The Royal College of GPs has called for more GPs to be employed and for consultations to be longer to meet prevention goals. These findings raise questions about the government’s plan to shift the NHS from focusing on treating illness to focusing on prevention, one of the three major goals in the government’s 10-year health plan. Woolnough stated that discussions about shifting from treating sickness to prevention are only meaningful if the fundamentals are in place. If the government is serious about prevention, more action is needed to support GPs in identifying health issues early, keeping people healthier for longer, and reducing pressure on the NHS. A separate survey of 2,000 UK voters, conducted by the pollsters Censuswide on behalf of the Royal College of GPs, found that 64% of the public trust family doctors to offer advice on healthy living. This level of trust was higher than that placed in the NHS website (51%), pharmacists (38%), family and friends (22%), AI chatbots (7%), and social media influencers (5%). The Department of Health and Social Care did not comment directly on the findings but stated that GPs are central to the NHS and highlighted an investment of £1.7bn into general practice and the recruitment of 2,000 additional GPs. A spokesperson said the government is working with the Royal College of General Practitioners and other partners to rebuild and modernize the NHS. They noted that record numbers of appointments are being delivered, and 77% of patients now report having a good local GP service.