The 2026/27 QOF update continues the drive toward simplification and personalised care. Indicators are streamlined, thresholds adjusted, and new Quality Improvement modules introduced to strengthen continuity, access, and health equity. With long‑term condition management still central, the framework aims to reduce administrative burden while supporting proactive, patient‑centred care across general practice.
The 2026/27 Network Contract DES marks a significant shift for Primary Care Networks, expanding ARRS flexibility, increasing GP reimbursement ceilings, and introducing new requirements for continuity and neighbourhood alignment. With modest funding uplifts and a repurposed Capacity & Access scheme, the update aims to strengthen collaboration and sustainability across general practice while maintaining the focus on timely, patient‑centred access.
The NHS has published Fit for the Future: Towards Population Health Delivery Models, setting out how new commissioning and contracting arrangements -SNPs, MNPs and IHOs – will support the shift to neighbourhood‑based, preventative care. This blog explains what these models mean for general practice, how they link to the Neighbourhood Health Framework, and what changes GPs can expect as the system moves toward population‑level planning and integrated delivery.
The government has released the Neighbourhood Health Framework, setting out a national plan to shift more care into communities and strengthen the role of general practice within integrated neighbourhood teams. The framework outlines how local services should work together around populations of 30-50k, with GP practices acting as the clinical anchor for prevention, continuity and personalised care. It also commits to developing 250 Neighbourhood Health Centres to bring primary care, community services, diagnostics and social care under one roof. This publication marks a significant moment for primary care, recognising the central role of general practice in leading neighbourhood‑level transformation and improving access, outcomes and patient experience.
