GMS Contract Changes 15/16
The following is an extract from the NHS Employers website. This link takes you to the contract changes for 2015/16, dating back to 2006/07:
NHS Employers and the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) of the British Medical Association have agreed changes to the General Medical Services contract for 2015/16 for England.
On 30 September 2014, NHS Employers and the General Practitioners Committee of the BMA announced changes to the GMS contract in England for 2015/16.
The focus of the changes is on a named, accountable GP for all patients, publication of GPs' average net earnings and commitment to expand and improve the provision of online services.
GPC and NHS England will separately submit evidence to the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body (DDRB) in relation to the 2015/16 uplift to the GMS Contract. The Government will consider the DDRB recommendations before making a final decision.
The changes include the following:
- A named, accountable GP for all patients (including children) who will take lead responsibility for the co-ordination of all appropriate services required under the contract.
- Publication of GP net earnings - practices will publish average net earnings (to include contractor and salaried GPs) relating to 2014/15, as well as the number of full and part time GPs associated with the published figure.
- Further commitment to expand and improve the provision of online services for patients, including extending online access to medical records and the availability of online appointments.
- Changes to the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF): adjustment of point value for 2015/16 taking account of population growth and relative changes in practice list size for one year from 1 January 2014 to 1 January 2015; deferment for one year of changes in thresholds planned for April 2015. Discussions around any clinical changes to QOF within the current QOF envelope will continue.
- The avoiding unplanned admissions (AUA) enhanced service will be extended for a further year from 1 April 2015, with changes including revisions to the reporting process and changes to the payment structure.
- The patient participation enhanced service will end and associated funding will be reinvested into global sum. From 1 April 2015, it will be a contractual requirement for all practices to have a patient participation group (PPG) and to make reasonable efforts for this to be representative of the practice population.
- The alcohol enhanced service will end and associated funding will be reinvested into global sum. From 1 April 2015 it will be a contractual requirement for all practices to identify newly registered patients aged 16 or over who are drinking alcohol at increased or higher risk levels.
- GPC, NHS England and NHS Employers will work together to develop more consistent guidance for the provision of enhanced minor surgery services.
- The extended hours and learning disabilities enhanced services will be extended and unchanged for a further year.
- Changes to registration regulations will allow for armed forces personnel to be registered with a GP practice.
- There will be a 15% reduction in the total seniority payments as agreed in 2014/15.
- Assurance on out of hours provision has been agreed to ensure that all service providers are delivering out of hours care in line with the National Quality Requirements (or any successor quality standards).
- Improved maternity/paternity arrangements have been agreed, to cover both external locums and cover provided by existing GPs within the practice who do not already work full time.
- NHS England and GPC will work together on workforce issues including the retainer /returner scheme, the flexible careers scheme, and recruitment problems in specific areas.
- GPC, NHS Employers and NHS England will have a broader strategic discussion about the primary care estate, especially to support the transfer of care into a community setting.
- NHS England and GPC will re-examine the Carr-Hill formula with the aim of adapting the formula to better reflect deprivation.
- Correction factor funding moving into global sum will be reinvested, with no out of hours deduction applying; NHS England has agreed that any funding released from PMS reviews will be invested in primary medical care services.
A set of FAQs has been developed to support area teams and practices in delivery of the 14/15 GMS contract. The FAQs can be found on our non-clinical FAQs page.
NHS England Letter: GMS Contract Changes 2016/17
Implementing the 2016-17 GP Contract: Letter to commissioner
Implementing the 2016-17 GP Contract: Changes to APMS and PMS Contracts
GMS Statement of Financial Entitlements Directions 2013
Directed Enhanced Services (DES) Directions 2016
