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Primary care contracting
The primary medical care contracting arrangements enable the NHS to provide a wider range of services closer to where patients live and improve the quality of care provided. This section provides the latest legislation, policy guidance, contract documentation, implementation and support details for the four contracting routes as appropriate: General Medical Services (GMS) including 2006/07 GMS contract agreement, Personal Medical Services (PMS), PCT Medical Services (PCTMS) and Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) contracts.
Latest updates
GP Patient Survey
Ipsos MORI will be sending the new quarterly GP Patient Survey to patients from 6 April 2009. The expanded survey seeks to assess patients' experiences of their local NHS services. In line with commitments made in the NHS Next Stage Review (NSR) the survey has been developed to give patients a greater say, including whether practices are providing not just fast, convenient access but an all-round quality patient experience. For the first time in 2009/10 the survey will be conducted quarterly with around 1.4 million paitents being invited to take part in each quarter.
Related guidance and directions
Final guidance: Extended Hours Access Scheme Directed Enhanced Service
Guidance for PCTs to implement the Extended Hours Scheme Directed Enhanced Service (DES), to be read in conjunction with: (i) the Primary Care Services (Directed Enhanced Services) (England) Directions 2008; and (ii) the Statement of Financial Entitlements (Amendment) (No 4) Directions 2008.
GP Extended Opening Hours
This letter states PCTs are to continue to progress extended opening hours in GP practices, particularly for patients of practices who are not offering this service
Appraisal funding guidance
This guidance note replaces the appraisal funding guidance issued by the Department of Health in March 2003 (gateway reference 2159). Arrangements agreed locally under that note will need to be reviewed in line with this new guidance, which has been agreed with the NHS Confederation and BMA's General Practitioners Committee.
The Variation of Transitional Agreements Directions 2004
Directions clarifying arrangements for disputes in relation to PMS pilot scheme agreements (regarded from 1 April 2004 as transitional agreements).
Patient and public involvement in developing primary medical services
This note sets out advice for PCTs on complying with their patient and public involvement duties when developing primary medical services through GMS, PMS, PCTMS and APMS contracts.
Goodwill guidance
Regulations have been made concerning the ban on the sale of goodwill of medical practices. This guidance note helps to explain the new arrangements.
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Primary care contracting implementation and support
NHS Employers
Since November 2004, NHS Employers has taken responsibility from the Department of Health for much of the NHS human resources agenda.
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