NHS Planning in 2018-19

Steve Brine Excerpts

Tuesday 20th March 2018 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Steve Brine)]

I am today updating the House on the outcome of the General Medical Services (GMS) contract negotiations with the General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association and NHS Employers on behalf of NHS England.

The GMS contract for 2018-19 comprises a pay uplift together with a CPI uplift of 3% to expenses totalling £102.9 million, as part of the overall investment of £256 million. The investment includes £60 million which has been allocated to cover increased indemnity costs incurred in the past financial year.

Other key parts of the contract include:

An agreement that will pave the way to general practitioners no longer issuing paper prescriptions, instead using the NHS electronic prescription service.

The roll out of the NHS e-referral service into general practice. NHS England has allocated £10 million to facilitate GPs uptake of the electronic referral service.

An agreement with the GPC to work with DHSC and NHSE to establish the extent and reasons behind locum use and cost.

We understand that NHS England will apply the provision to personal medical services and alternative provider medical services where appropriate.

Full details of the agreement can be found at: http://www.nhsemployers.org/GMS201819.

[HCWS565]