‘Every individual or partnership of GPs must hold an NHS GP contract to run an NHS commissioned General Practice. These set out mandatory requirements and services for all General Practices, as well as making provisions for several types of other services that practices may also provide, if they choose’. (GP funding and contracts explained, The Kings Fund).
There are 3 types of contract arrangement in England:
- General medical services (GMS) | the national standard GP contract to deliver ‘core’ medical services, negotiated nationally every year between NHS England and the British Medical Association’s (BMA) England General Practitioners Committee (GPC England). The commissioner then uses the GMS contract to secure general practice services in a geographical area.
- Personal medical services (PMS) | another form of core contract but negotiated and agreed locally by the commissioner with a practice or practices. These contracts are subject to local variations.
- Alternative provider medical services (APMS) | a more flexible framework allowing contracts with organisations, such as private and third sector providers, other than general practice to provide primary care services beyond that of ‘core’ general practice. For example, a social enterprise could be contracted to provide primary health care to asylum seekers or the homeless.
The NHS commissioner manages all types of GP contracts. Where contracts are locally negotiated, local medical committees (LMCs) representing GPs may advise or participate in discussions alongside regional BMA representatives. You can find guidance on undertaking the requirements of the contract in the Primary medical care policy and guidance manual (PGM).
| For up to date information about the GP contract, including the digital requirements, you should visit: NHS England » GP Contract |
Related GPG content
- Online consultation tools
- Online appointment booking
- Electronic repeat dispensing (eRD)
- NHS.UK online resource for patients
- Practice websites
- Calculating Quality Reporting Service (CQRS) and Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF)
- Patients updating personal details online
- GP2GP – transferred in records – processing
- Health equalities and inclusion
- NHS App
Other helpful resources
- NHS England and the British Medical Association, 2019, Investment and Evolution – The five year framework for GP contract reform to implement The NHS Long Term Plan
- British Medical Association, Comparison table between GMS and PMS contract
- NHS England, Primary care networks
- NHS England, What is integrated care?
- NHS England, Digital first primary care