New GP contract ready for local negotiation
pharmafile | January 5, 2004 | News story | |
The final details of the new general medical services (GMS) contract have been agreed by the government, PCT and doctors' representatives, setting the stage for its introduction on 1 April.
The new payment-for-results GMS contract, along with an updated version of the alternative Personal Medical Service (PMS) contracts have now been defined in detail by a raft of new guidance documents.
The main guidance sets out the framework for negotiation between PCTs and local practices on how they will update and improve services for patients while also improving the working lives of primary care staff.
The guidance has been published with a number of other key documents:
- New draft regulations which set out the legal framework of the new contract.
- A copy of a draft standard contract which will form the basis of local contracts between a practice and its PCT.
- The Statement of Financial Entitlements which shows what resources each practice will receive under the new contract.
- Improved PMS guidance has also been published, including information on operational issues, new flexibilities and innovations in PMS.
The government plan is to increase investment in primary care by 33% over the next three years to underpin the modernisation of services.
Health Minister John Hutton said: "Implementing new primary care contracts is without doubt one of the biggest and most important opportunities and challenges facing primary care trusts in 2004. The guidance we have published marks an important stage in this implementation process. Successful implementation will revitalise primary care for NHS patients and bring huge benefits for GPs."
The detailed guidance on the new contract was produced after months of negotiations between the Department of Health, the BMA and the NHS Confederation.
Dr John Chisholm, chairman of the BMA general practice committee said all sides welcomed the guidance, which would provide vital information on how to make the new contract work.
"These documents help to make the vision a reality. Now the focus must shift to achieving local agreement on the terms of practice-based contracts. Successful implementation will undoubtedly improve patient care and health outcomes, as well as improving the working lives of GPs and revitalising general practice."
Mike Farrar, chief negotiator for the NHS Confederation also welcomed the documents, saying it pointed the way to providing better services for patients.
External links
