How will the new GP contract affect sessional GPs?

While the contract is framed around practices, these changes could create more opportunities for flexible GPs to play more of a formal role in meeting demand.

The new Neighbourhoods (43 in the first wave) are another key part of the changes which are heading in the right direction for the demand for more GP time.

The left shift out of hospital care will inevitably mean senior clinicians are needed to manage the increased community based and often specialist activity. We just need the funding to follow the patient and flip the 20:80 primary care:hospital funding ratio to balance more.

Behind the scenes, NASGP has started to discuss partnership working with LMCs, providers and commissioners via LocumDeck – and our chair Dr Richard Fieldhouse is liaising with national figures, to raise awareness of the under-employment of sessional GPs and the lack of understanding about how pivotal the flexible GPs role is for workforce strategy and planning.

The more members on LocumDeck (and using it where appropriate), the stronger the data, insights and work opportunities we can gather. This is what allows us to advocate nationally on your behalf – showing policymakers and local systems the true value and availability of sessional GPs.

Headline changes for practices

• £12,000 uplift to the average practice’s global sum.
• Three percent DDRB uplift consolidated into contract values.
• Quarterly workforce data submissions now required (this rarely covers GP locums).
• Patients must be offered an assessment/appointment within two weeks.
• Same-day assessment for urgent clinical needs.
• Greater focus on continuity of care for vulnerable patients.
• Flexibility to use multidisciplinary teams.

What does this mean for patients? (In theory)

• Faster access – a commitment to being assessed/offered an appointment within two weeks.
• Urgent needs prioritised – same-day clinical assessment if necessary.
• Better continuity – more emphasis on consistent care, especially for vulnerable patients.
• More team based care – you may increasingly see other clinicians as part of the practice team.
• Improved workforce planning – quarterly data gives the NHS clearer insights into pressures.

We’ll keep sharing updates, but please keep telling us what you’re experiencing locally – it all helps us amplify your voice.