The General Practice (GP) Contract Agreement for England has undergone significant changes in 2020/21, aimed at improving patient care and the overall function of primary care services. These changes come as a result of extensive negotiations between the British Medical Association (BMA) and NHS England.
One of the key changes in the updated GP Contract Agreement is the introduction of the Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service. This new service aims to support the formation of Primary Care Networks (PCNs). PCNs are groups of general practices that work together, alongside other healthcare providers, to provide more integrated and coordinated patient care. The Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service provides funding for PCNs to hire social prescribers, meaning they can assist patients with non-medical enquiries, such as benefits advice, community support, and access to exercise classes.
Another major change to the GP Contract Agreement is the update to the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), which sets out the indicators and thresholds for general practice performance. The updated QOF now includes new indicators for cervical screening, blood pressure control, and medication reviews for patients with long-term conditions, among others. The updated QOF is aimed at improving patient outcomes, providing added clinical benefits for patients, and recognising the valuable work that GPs do.
The GP Contract Agreement for 2020/21 also includes a number of initiatives aimed at improving access to healthcare services for patients. These include extending GP practice opening hours, providing more support for patients with mental health conditions, and providing funding for GP practices to engage with their local communities.
In addition to these changes, the updated GP Contract Agreement also includes funding for GP practices to improve their IT systems. This funding is aimed at supporting the implementation of digital healthcare tools, such as online consultations, electronic prescriptions, and patient access to medical records.
Overall, the updated GP Contract Agreement for England in 2020/21 represents a significant step forward in improving patient care and the function of primary care services. By supporting the formation of PCNs, introducing new indicators in the QOF, and providing funding for improved access to healthcare services and IT systems, the updated agreement is set to deliver real benefits for patients and GPs alike.