Introduction

The 2025/26 GP contract introduces the biggest investment uplift in over a decade, alongside key changes aimed at:

1. Improving patient access (aiming to end the 8am rush with mandated online appointment booking)
   
2. Cutting GP admin workload (presented as scrapping nearly half of QOF reporting requirements – albeit many of these are disease registers, as well as cutting reporting requirements)
   
3. Boosting workforce flexibility (expanding ARRS to include more roles)
   
4. Increasing funding for primary care (with £889m extra investment)
   

This article provides a high-level overview of the key changes. We will continually update this page as NHS England releases more details. You can also explore our detailed support guides for each specific contract area (linked below).

Timeline of document release

28th February

Initial letter from Amanda Doyle released with many more details than we’d usually expect, indicating the positive nature of negotiations between government and the BMA.

The initial letter revealed the following information:

Funding & Investment

1. Total GP contract funding increases from £12.287bn to £13.176bn
   
2. Global Sum per patient estimated to rise to £121.90
   
3. £889m additional core funding + £80m for enhanced services
   
4. Salaried GP ARRS reimbursement increased to £82,418 (+on-costs)
   
5. Locum reimbursement & parental leave rates increasing
   

Read More: What the 2025/26 Contract Means for GP Finances

Reducing Admin & QOF Reform

1. 32 QOF indicators permanently retired (212 points removed)
   
2. £298m reinvested into Global Sum & targeted CVD prevention funding
   
3. New QOF focus: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) prevention targets
   
4. No more reporting on staff wellbeing meetings, IT system reviews & other non-clinical metrics
   

Read More: QOF 2025/26 – What’s Changing?

Digital & Access Changes

1. Online GP appointment requests must be available during core hours from October 2025
   
2. GP Connect must be enabled to allow patient record sharing with NHS providers & private healthcare (with consent)
   
3. Community Pharmacy consultation summaries will be automatically sent into GP workflows
   
4. New "Patient Charter" will outline patient expectations & must be published on all practice websites
   

Read More: Online Access & Digital Mandates – What Your Practice Must Do

Workforce & ARRS Expansion

• ARRS funding rules updated – GPs & practice nurses added with no recruitment caps

• PCNs can now flexibly recruit based on local workforce needs

• GP reimbursement under ARRS increases to £82,418

• New flexibility in PCN funding pots to support modern access models

Read More: ARRS 2025/26 – What’s Changing?

Enhanced Services & Incentives

1. New £80m Advice & Guidance Enhanced Service (£20 per pre-referral request)
   
2. Weight Management Enhanced Service continues (£11.50 per referral)
   
3. New funding stream for practices delivering continuity of care
   

Read More: Enhanced Services 2025/26 – What’s Available?

Key Dates & Next Steps

🗓 April 2025 – Contract changes come into effect

🗓 October 2025 – Practices must have online appointment access live

🗓 2025/26 – New CVD targets & QOF reforms implemented

What should you do now?

1. Review your practice’s compliance with online access mandates
   
2. Plan for QOF changes & ensure CVD prevention measures are in place
   
3. Review current ARRS spend and maximise ARRS funding for workforce expansion
   
4. Ensure your practice is prepared for GP Connect & patient record sharing updates
   

Read More: 2025/26 Contract – Implementation Guide

Have Questions? Let’s Discuss!

We’ll keep updating this article as more details emerge. In the meantime:

1. Ask our team any questions in our Facebook group
   
2. Get in touch for contract support
   
3. Subscribe for updates on contract changes