2026/27 GP Contract Update

Following the release of the 2026/27 GP contract, in this blog, we highlight the key changes and what they mean for your practice over the coming year.

1. Contract Uplift

The total value of the GP contract will increase by £485m, taking overall investment to £13.863bn for 2026/27. This represents 3.6% cash growth or 1.4% real‑terms growth, reflecting ongoing inflationary pressures.

The uplift includes:

– A 2.5% pay assumption for practice staff, subject to pay review body recommendations later in the year.

– Funding to support updated QOF indicators.

– Additional support for national cost pressures, including areas such as premises and operational inflation.

Whilst any increase is welcome, the uplift remains modest against the backdrop of continued cost growth. Practices should expect limited real‑term improvement and will need to continue monitoring costs carefully to ensure value for money.

2. Reallocation of Funding – New Practice‑Level GP Reimbursement Scheme

NHS England will redirect £292m previously allocated through the PCN Capacity & Access Payment (CAP) directly to practices. This funding will support additional GP sessions or new GP recruitment at the practice level. CAP, CASP and CAIP will be withdrawn from the PCN DES.

This change gives practices greater direct control over GP‑related funding. However, PCNs that previously used CAP funding across multiple sites will need to reassess their financial and workforce plans for 2026/27.

3. ARRS – Expanded GP Recruitment Flexibility

The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) has been updated to allow recruitment of experienced GPs, not just newly qualified ones. Reimbursement caps have been adjusted to reflect full salaried GP rates plus on‑costs.

Commissioners may also approve additional ARRS roles where appropriate.

This provides PCNs with a more realistic route to strengthen GP workforce capacity, though overall ARRS budget limits remain unchanged.

4. QOF – 18 Additional Points and Updated Clinical Indicators

QOF increases by 18 points, with national funding of around £25m to support the changes.

Key updates include:

– Two new obesity indicators linked to structured weight‑management referrals and medicine optimisation.

– Updated childhood vaccination indicators with revised thresholds, particularly supporting improvement in areas experiencing higher deprivation.

– Updates to cardiovascular indicators, including heart failure and hypertension requirements, aligned with NICE guidance.

– A revised diabetes care‑processes indicator.

Practices may need to adjust clinical workflows, particularly around obesity management, vaccinations, and long‑term condition reviews.

5. Access and Demand Management – New Contractual Requirements

Several access expectations have now been incorporated directly into the core contract:

– Clinically urgent requests must be handled on the same day.

– Practices must not ask patients to “call back tomorrow”; contact should result in a response either the same day (if urgent) or by the end of the next working day (if non‑urgent).

– Online consultation systems must not cap the number of patient requests submitted during core hours.

– Advice and Guidance (A&G) is now a core contractual requirement and should be used before or instead of referral when clinically appropriate.

Practices should ensure triage systems, digital platforms and staffing plans are aligned with these strengthened access requirements ahead of 1 April.

6. Vaccinations

PCNs will be required to ensure eligible care‑home residents receive seasonal vaccinations as part of their contractual obligations.

Key Action Points for Practices

– Understand the likely impact of only a 1.4% real term uplift on practice profit and cash flow for 2026/27

– Consider workforce planning in light of expanded ARRS GP eligibility.

– PCNs should revisit their structure and staffing plans given the removal of CAP from network‑level funding.

– Review access and triage processes to ensure compliance with same‑day urgent care requirements.

– Check online consultation systems for any daily limits.

– Prepare for QOF workflow adjustments, particularly obesity and vaccination updates

For more information, please contact the BHP Healthcare team here.