Overview

The 2025/26 GP contract introduces significant changes that impact Primary Care Networks (PCNs), particularly in workforce planning, funding flexibility, and patient access improvements. This guide outlines key updates for PCN Managers and steps to maximise funding and performance.

 Funding & Investment Changes

1. £889m additional investment in the GP contract.
   
2. £87.6m PCN Capacity & Access Improvement Payment (CAIP) split into:
   
1. £58.4m for modern general practice access.
   
2. £29.2m for population health risk stratification to improve continuity of care.
   
3. New £80m Advice & Guidance Enhanced Service to support elective care recovery.
   
4. Global Sum per patient increased to £121.90.
   
5. Additional funding for CVD prevention via QOF redistribution.
   

Action Points:

1. Work with practices to align CAIP funding with patient access improvements.
   
2. Ensure your PCN is utilising risk stratification tools effectively.
   
3. Review how enhanced services can be leveraged for additional funding.
   

Workforce & ARRS Expansion

1. ARRS (Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme) expanded to:
   
1. Include GPs and practice nurses.
   
2. Remove hiring caps for ARRS roles.
   
2. GP reimbursement under ARRS increased to £82,418.
   
3. ARRS funding pots combined for greater flexibility.
   
4. Focus on continuity of care: Incentives for identifying patients who would benefit from seeing the same clinician.
   

Action Points:

1. Optimise PCN workforce planning to utilise ARRS expansion.
   
2. Identify high-risk patients to maximise continuity of care funding.
   
3. Work with practices to increase GP recruitment under ARRS.
   

Digital & Access Improvements

1. Online appointment requests must be enabled during core hours by October 2025.
   
2. GP Connect mandatory implementation to enable:
   
1. Read-only access to NHS patient records by other providers.
   
2. Pharmacy consultation summaries to integrate with GP workflows.
   
3. Patient Charter requirement to improve transparency on access and care standards.
   

Action Points:

1. Ensure practices are ready to comply with digital access mandates.
   
2. Support practices with GP Connect configuration and onboarding.
   
3. Monitor Patient Charter implementation across PCN.
   

 QOF Changes & Reducing Admin Burden

1. 32 QOF indicators retired (212 points removed, £298m reinvested).
   
2. £198m of QOF funding redirected to CVD prevention.
   
3. New QOF thresholds focused on cardiovascular risk reduction.
   
4. Red tape reduction: Practices no longer need to report on non-essential admin metrics.
   

Action Points:

1. Support practices in adapting to new QOF structures.
   
2. Work with GPs to ensure focus on CVD prevention aligns with funding incentives.
   
3. Reduce administrative burden where possible.
   

Enhanced Services & Incentives

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

Action Points:

1. Ensure PCN-wide uptake of enhanced services.
   
2. Develop referral pathways to maximise funding from Advice & Guidance Service.
   
3. Track service delivery performance to optimise funding allocation.
   

Next Steps & Deadlines

1. April 2025 – Contract changes come into effect.
   
2. October 2025 – Online appointment access must be live.
   

Immediate Actions:

1. Review PCN funding impact and allocations.
   
2. Ensure workforce planning aligns with ARRS flexibility.
   
3. Assist practices in meeting digital compliance requirements.
   
4. Monitor implementation of Patient Charter requirements.