Department of Health

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General Medical Services (GMS)

The GMS contract has evolved in partnership between the NHS Confederation and the General Practioners Committee (GPC) of the British Medical Association (BMA). It creates greater flexibility for GPs and represents an unprecedented level of investment in primary care.

New GMS contract 2006/07

NHS Employers have announced changes to the new GMS contract for 2006/07.

Contract up to 2005

The pre-ballot documents that made up the new GMS contract 'offer' which GPs were asked to vote on and accepted on 20 June 2003.

Guidance

Delivering investment in general practice

This fleshes out the detail of the contract document, Investing in General Practice, and sets out how implementation needs to be taken forward. It needs to be read in conjunction with the Contract Regulations, the Standard GMS Contract and the Statement of Financial Entitlements. These documents have been agreed by the NHS Confederation and the GPC and they provide the further information that PCTs and practices need to implement the new contract.

Legislation

These documents build on the 'offer' documents and contain the implementation guidance that practices and primary care organisations will need to both implement the new GMS contract and use it effectively as a valuable tool in redesigning primary care services for patients.

Enhanced services

Enhanced services are services not provided through essential or additional services, or essential and additional services delivered to a higher specified standard. They were negotiated into the GMS contract as a key tool to help PCTs reduce demand on secondary care. Their main purposes are to expand the range of local services to meet local need, improve convenience and choice, and ensure value for money.

Agenda for Change

Although implementation is voluntary, the GMS contract does encourage using the principles of Agenda for Change in general practice. A working group has issued a brief overview on implementation, with more detailed guidance planned for the New Year.

Finance

GMS payments

The payment timetable and actions that need following to ensure that all contractors receive their indicative new payments under the GMS contract for the appropriate quarter.

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