2025-26 GP Contract Changes Outlined

The government has published updated an update on changes to the GP Contract for 2025/26. If you are in a hurry, you’ll love our quick summary of the changes below. For a somewhat longer review, listen to our podcast episode on this topic. You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, or Youtube Podcasts.

The document outlines substantial modifications to the General Practitioner (GP) Contract for the fiscal year 2025/26. The objective is to augment patient access to and experience of GP services. The government writes that it is dedicated to advancing general practice. Augmented funding and diminished bureaucracy play a key role. The overall investment will escalate by £889 million. This represents the most significant increase in over a decade. The total contract value is projected to reach £13,176 million in 2025/26. This reflects a 7.2% cash growth compared to the preceding year.

Funding and Investment Enhancements

The document affirms that the government will fully finance a 6% pay increase for GPs in 2024/25. It will also extend the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) to newly qualified GPs commencing in October 2024. The funding will also support a new enhanced service for advice and guidance. This service is valued at £80 million. It facilitates the transfer of care from secondary to primary settings.

Bureaucracy Reduction

To streamline operations, the government plans to permanently retire 32 Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) indicators. This equates to 212 QOF points worth approximately £298 million in 2025/26. This includes the removal of 71 points outright. Funds will be redirected to enhance routine childhood vaccination fees. Additionally, locum reimbursement rates will see an increase.

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

A significant portion of the remaining 141 QOF points will be allocated towards cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. This allocation aims to reduce premature mortality from heart disease or stroke by 25% over the next decade. The thresholds for these indicators will be adjusted to encourage participation while maintaining lower achievement levels at 2024/25 standards.

Enhanced Patient Access

Starting on October 1, 2025, practices must keep their online consultation tools available during core hours. This ensures the facilitation of non-urgent requests. Additionally, GP Connect will enable read-only access to patient care records for NHS and private healthcare providers with patient consent.

Patient Charter and Transparency

NHS England will introduce a patient charter. The charter will detail the standards patients can expect from their GP practices. This initiative will enhance transparency and clarity regarding service provision.

Workforce Support and Recruitment

The ARRS will see increased flexibility, allowing Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to better respond to local workforce needs. The maximum reimbursement for GPs under this scheme will rise from £73,113 to £82,418 in 2025/26. This increase reflects the lower quartile of the salaried GP pay range. The Capacity and Access Improvement (CAIP) payment will continue to incentivize modern general practice access and patient risk stratification.

Vaccination Schedule Modifications

The document outlines updates to vaccination schedules. These updates are based on recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations (JCVI). The adjustments include changes to childhood and adult vaccination programs aimed at improving coverage.

Conclusion

In summary, the changes to the GP Contract for 2025/26 aim to enhance service delivery. They also seek to reduce administrative burdens. These changes intend to improve patient outcomes through increased funding and support for general practices.