GP practices and GPs will continue to be the backbone of the NHS reforms as the government revealed the launch of two new forms of GP contract under the newly-released ‘10 Year Health Plan’.
The health secretary has promised to ‘end the 8am scramble’ by training thousands more GPs and offering same-day GP appointments to patients in need.
In a major development, the government plans to launch new ‘neighbourhood health centres’, open evenings and weekends and staffed by a multi-disciplinary team, to improve local access to primary care.
The plan also mentions that GPs should be offered two new contracts in addition to GMS:
- ‘Single neighbourhood provider’ contracts for enhanced services for ‘groups with similar needs’ in areas of around 50,000 patients, much like a PCN.
- ‘Multi-neighbourhood providers’ that deliver clinical specialism such as end of life care across patches of around 250,000 patients.
These ‘neighbourhood’ centres will require significant physical infrastructure and co-location of services. Questions remain about funding mechanisms and whether existing estates can accommodate these expanded services.
In clinics, GPs will be able to use ambient voice technology AI to reduce time spent note-taking. The NHS App will add a new AI-enabled tool called ‘My NHS GP’ to prevent inappropriate use of A&E. It will also manage more self-referrals through a new ‘My Specialist’ feature.
Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services, acknowledged concerns about GP unemployment, but added that the 10-year plan represents ‘an opportunity to provide significantly increase employment for GPs’.
“I am conscious there are concerns about GP employment, but this is an opportunity to provide significantly increased employment for GPs,” she said.
Dr Richard Fieldhouse, NASGP chair, said: “The proposed new neighbourhood health structures, promising to blend continuity and accessibility of care, are welcome, but will require significant funding and a careful transition.
“And the voices of sessional GPs must not go unheard. Although NASGP fed into the initial consultation, GP locums especially need to be actively involved from the outset – ensuring these new neighbourhood systems genuinely understand, integrate, and value the unique flexibility, skills, and perspectives locums bring to the NHS front line.”
Helen Holmes-Fogg, NASGP CEO, said: “Crucially, the voices of sessional GPs must not be overlooked in this transformation.
“As ever with policy documents of this scale, there are multiple interpretations and angles to consider. We are continuing our detailed analysis and will provide further perspective as implementation details emerge.
“Our immediate priorities include engaging with policymakers to ensure sessional GP voices are heard in implementation planning, monitoring contract development to protect flexibility and opportunities for our members, and advocating for transition arrangements that don’t disadvantage current working patterns.
“We encourage members to share their views and concerns as these proposals develop. The success of NHS transformation depends on harnessing the full spectrum of GP expertise, including the invaluable contributions of our sessional workforce.”
Have your say using the form below.
Contact
Fill out the form to send us a message.