GP Digital Services – Procurement of GP IT

Version 1.2, 28 March 2025

This guidance is part of the Working in a digitally transformed NHS section of the Good practice guidelines for GP electronic patient records.

Not all digital services are centrally commissioned. Integrated care boards (ICBs), primary care networks (PCNs) and practices can make use of available frameworks, as well as using procurement and commissioning support services.

GPIT Operating Model and ICB Practice Agreement

The NHS provides practices with digital services as required by the GP Contract and the ICB-Practice Agreement.

The GP IT Operating Model provides the commissioning framework supporting the provision of these digital services  for general practices and PCNS. It includes details of how the digital services should be provided, the standards they should meet and how they are funded. This is regularly updated to reflect changes in the GP contract digital requirements and emerging policy

The ICB (CCG) Practice Agreement gives practices and ICBs clarity and assurance on the requirements for the provision and use of the services available to general practices under the GPIT Operating Model