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Standard contract

  • Last modified date:
    13 October 2009

The Department has now agreed the content of the GMS Standard Contract with the GPC and the NHS Confederation. The terms of that contract are now published and can be downloaded in both PDF and Word format.

The contract contains all of the mandatory terms for GMS contracts that are required by virtue of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 and the National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/291). The contract also contains further terms, that, although not required by virtue of the Act or the Regulations, are strongly recommended to all primary care trusts.

September 2009 amendments to the standard contract

Gateway reference: 12688

The GMS Contract Regulations have been amended by the regulations listed below:

SI 2005/3491 - Performer List (Amendment) Regulations 2005
SI 2008/528 - Local Involvement Networks Regulations 2008
SI 2008/1514 - Local Involvement Networks (Amendment) Regulations 2008
SI  2008/1700 - Primary Ophthalmic Services (Amendment, Transitional and Consequential) Regulations 2008
SI 2009/309 - Local Authority Social Services and National Health Services Complaints Regulations 2009
SI 2009/2205 - NHS (Miscellaneous Amendments Relating to Community Pharmaceutical Services and Optometrist Prescribing) Regulations 2009
SI 2009/2230 - NHS (Prescribing and Charging Amendments Relating to Pandemic Influenza) Regulations 2009.

As a result, the standard GMS contract has been redrafted and is available in both PDF and Word formats. This document supersedes the earlier document which will be withdrawn in due course. The new document should be used for all new GMS contracts signed after 17 September 2009.

PCTs are reminded that all existing contracts require amendment as soon as possible. To help PCTs we have agreed with the GPC a standard variation document that has the effect of varying, without the need for further consultation, all existing GMS contracts to give effect to the required changes. As with earlier amendments this document can only be used where the PCT and its GMS contractor hold contracts that adhere to the numbering scheme in the original standard GMS contract.

The variation document should be completed with the contractors details etc and sent to the contractor together with a duplicate of the notice. The contractor should be asked to sign and date the duplicate before returning it to the PCT to signify that they have received the variation notice. 

January 2008 amendments to the standard contract

Gateway reference 9176

The GMS Contract Regulations have been amended with effect from 28 January 2008 by the National Health Service (Primary Medical Services)(Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/3491).

As a result, the standard GMS contract has been redrafted and is available in both PDF and Word formats.  This document supersedes the earlier document which will be withdrawn in due course.  The new document should be used for all new GMS contracts signed after 28 January 2008.

PCTs are reminded that all existing contracts require amendment as soon as possible. To help PCTs we have agreed with the GPC a standard variation document that has the effect of varying, without the need for further consultation, all existing GMS contracts to give effect to the required changes.  As with earlier amendments this document can only be used where the PCT and its GMS contractor hold contracts that adhere to the numbering scheme in the original standard GMS contract.

The variation document should be completed with the contractors details etc and sent to the contractor together with a duplicate of the notice.  The contractor should be asked to sign and date the duplicate before returning it to the PCT to signify that they have received the variation notice.

July 2006 Amendments to the Standard Contract

The GMS Contract Regulations have been amended with effect from 24 July 2006 by the National Health Service (Primary Medical Services and Pharmaceutical Services)(Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/1501).

As a result, the standard GMS Contract has been redrafted and is available in both PDF and Word formats.  This document supersedes the earlier document which will be withdrawn in due course.  The new document should be used for all new GMS Contracts signed after 24 July 2006.

PCTs are reminded that all existing contracts require amendment as soon as possible after 24 July.  To help PCTs we have agreed with the GPC a standard variation document that has the effect of varying, without the need for further consultation, all existing GMS contracts to give effect to the required changes.  As with earlier amendments this document can only be used where the PCT and its GMS contractor hold contracts that adhere to the numbering scheme in the original standard GMS contract.

The variation document should be completed with the contractors details etc and sent to the contractor together with a duplicate of the notice.  The contractor should be asked to sign and date the duplicate before returning it to the PCT to signify that they have received the variation notice.

Gateway reference: 6854

December 2005 amendments to the standard contract

The GMS Contract Regulations have been amended with effect from 6 January 2006 by the National Health Service (Primary Medical Services)(Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/3315).

As a result the standard GMS contract has been re-drafted and is available below in both PDF and Word format. This document supercedes the earlier document which will be withdrawn in due course. The new document should be used for all new GMS contracts entered into by the PCT.

PCTs are reminded that all existing GMS contracts require amendment as soon as possible after 6 January, and they should aim to complete the exercise by the end of the first week in February. To help PCTs we have agreed with the GPC a standard variation document that has the effect of varying , without the need for further consultation, all existing GMS contracts to give effect to the required changes. As with earlier amendments this document can only be used where the PCT and its GMS contractor hold contracts that adhere to the numbering scheme in the original standard GMS contract.

The variation document should be completed with the contractors details etc and sent to the contractor together with a duplicate of the notice. The contractor should be asked to sign and date the duplicate before returning it to the PCT to signify that they have received the variation notice.

PCTs will notice that the variation notice contains new clauses 323A-323I (with a footnote as to their use).  These clauses are not replicated in the revised standard GMS contract (for use in respect of new contracts) as the clauses relate only to transitional provisions linked to contracts in place prior to 6 January 2006.

April 2005 amendments to the standard contract

The GMS Contract Regulations have been amended with effect from 14 April 2005 by the National Health Service (Primary Medical Services)(Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/893).

As a result the standard GMS contract has been re-drafted and is available below in both PDF and Word format. This document supersedes the earlier document which will be withdrawn in due course. The new document should be used for all new GMS contracts signed after 14 April 2005.

PCTs are reminded that all existing GMS contracts require amendment as soon as possible after 14 April, and they should aim to complete the exercise by the end of April. To help PCTs we have agreed with the GPC a standard variation document that has the effect of varying , without the need for further consultation, all existing GMS contracts to give effect to the required changes. As with earlier amendments this document can only be used where the PCT and its GMS contractor hold contracts that adhere to the numbering scheme in the original standard GMS contract.

The variation document should be completed with the contractors details etc and sent to the contractor together with a duplicate of the notice. The contractor should be asked to sign and date the duplicate before returning it to the PCT to signify that they have received the variation notice.

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