GP Contracts Explained: A Comprehensive Guide
General Practitioners (GPs) are at the heart of primary care delivery in the United Kingdom. GP services are delivered through a contractual agreement between the NHS and GP practices called the General Medical Services (GMS) contract or the Personal Medical Services (PMS) contract. In this article, we will explain what each of these contracts entails and how they impact the delivery of healthcare in the UK.
What is the General Medical Services (GMS) contract?
The GMS contract is the primary contract that governs the provision of GP services in the UK. It is a nationally negotiated contract that sets out the services that GP practices must provide and the payments they receive in return.
The GMS contract is divided into several sections, each of which outlines specific services and requirements. Some of the primary aspects of the contract include:
1. Essential Services – These are services that all GP practices must provide, including general medical services, maternity services, contraceptive services, and immunisation and vaccination services.
2. Additional Services – These are services that GP practices can choose to offer their patients, such as minor surgery or travel vaccinations.
3. Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) – This is a system for measuring the quality of care delivered by GP practices. It comprises a set of clinical and organizational indicators, such as blood pressure control, diabetes care and patient satisfaction.
4. Financial Incentives – GPs receive payments for achieving QOF targets and delivering certain services, such as childhood immunisations.
What is the Personal Medical Services (PMS) Contract?
The PMS contract is an alternative to the national GMS contract. It is negotiated locally between the NHS and individual GP practices. The PMS contract allows GP practices greater flexibility to tailor their services to the needs of their local population, provided they deliver the essential services required by the NHS.
The PMS contract includes a range of core services, such as consultations, prescribing and referrals. Additionally, GP practices can negotiate additional services with their local NHS bodies, such as enhanced minor surgery or chronic disease management.
Key Differences Between GMS and PMS Contracts
While both contracts share many similarities, there are several key differences to be aware of:
1. Contract Negotiations: The GMS contract is negotiated nationally between the NHS and British Medical Association (BMA), while the PMS contract is negotiated locally with Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).
2. Service Requirements: The GMS contract requires GP practices to provide a set of essential services, while the PMS contract allows practices to choose which essential and additional services they provide.
3. Payments: Payments for GPs under the GMS contract are set nationally while the PMS contract allows for some flexibility in payments, depending on the services provided.
The Bottom Line
The GMS and PMS contracts are the backbone of primary care delivery in the UK. They outline the services that GP practices must provide and the payments they receive for these services. Understanding the differences between the contracts can provide insight into the delivery of healthcare in the UK and help patients make informed choices about their primary care providers.
