Changes to GP contracts
The new general medical services (GMS) contract, which comes into effect from the beginning of this month, rewards practices for offering patients a choice of providers for their first outpatient appointment.
Half of this directed enhanced service (DES) award for choice will be based on the results of a patient survey.
There is also a DES award to reward practice-based commissioning. This is made up of two components: the first for time invested to develop a practice-based commissioning plan, and the second to reinvest in patient care on achievement of the plan's objectives.
The changes to the GMS contract are outlined in a letter sent to GPs from national clinical director for primary care Dr David Colin-Thomé.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health is directing primary care trusts (PCTs) to re-negotiate locally-agreed personal medical services (PMS) and alternative provider medical services (APMS) contracts.
New guidelines advise PCTs to ensure these contracts offer similar patient improvements and value for money to the GMS contract.
