Policies to improve access to GPs in England are part of the government's 10-year health plan, which emphasizes a shift from hospital to community, from disease to prevention and from analogue to digital. This plan includes three main changes aimed at strengthening primary care. New qualitative research captures the views of 70 patients, carers and GP staff across England. Policies focus on increasing the speed and volume of access to general practitioners. The changes include increasing the workforce by adding new roles such as pharmacists, social prescribers and physician assistants. Alternative pathways to care and a requirement that online consultation systems remain open during core hours are also being introduced. The research offers warnings about the potential unintended consequences of these policies.