March 3, 2026

GP contract summary 2026-27

NHS England has confirmed the final GP contract arrangements for 2026/27. The package focuses on GP capacity, same‑day access for clinically urgent needs, QOF reform, vaccination changes, and new data and engagement requirements.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/changes-to-the-gp-contract-in-2026-27/#annex-a-detail-of-the-changes-to-the-gp-contract-in-2026-27

Funding and Finance

Contract investment increases by £485m, taking the total to £13.86bn (3.6% cash uplift; 1.4% real‑terms).
Includes a 2.5% pay assumption, subject to pay review body outcomes.
Additional funding supports QOF changes and national cost pressures.

Core Contract Changes

Practice‑Level GP Reimbursement Scheme

£292m repurposed from the PCN Capacity and Access Payment.
Practices can use this to recruit additional GPs or increase GP sessions to support same‑day urgent care.
CAP/CASP/CAIP are removed from the Network DES.

Same‑Day Response for Clinically Urgent Needs

Practices must ensure all clinically urgent requests are dealt with the same day.
Practices determine what is clinically urgent.

“No Call Back” Requirement

Practices must not ask patients to call back another day.
For non‑urgent issues, an appropriate response must be provided by the end of the next working day, outlining next steps.

Online Consultation Systems

Online consultation systems must not cap request volumes during core hours.

Data and Monitoring

Practices must provide data on:

Call waiting times (8–10am and during core hours)
% of clinically urgent cases seen same day
% of non‑urgent cases seen within 1 week and within 2 weeks

Additional data requirements apply to online and video consultation systems.

Advice & Guidance

A&G funding moves into core.
Practices must use A&G before or instead of referral where clinically appropriate.
The A&G Enhanced Service is retired.

Registration and Pharmacy Requirements

Online registration becomes mandatory for all registrations.
Practices must reconfirm nominated pharmacies for new (non‑repeat) prescriptions.
A dedicated, monitored email address for pharmacy communications becomes a contractual requirement.

Engagement with ICB Support

Practices must engage with ICB support where unwarranted variation or risk of breach is identified.

Staff Survey

Participation in the General Practice Staff Survey becomes mandatory for all practice and PCN staff.

QOF Changes for 2026/27

New and Updated Indicators

18 additional QOF points (approx. £25m).
New indicators for:
- Diabetes: delivery of all 8 NICE care processes.
- Obesity: structured weight management referrals and pharmacotherapy shared decision‑making.
- Heart failure: alignment with NICE “4‑pillar” therapy.
Updated childhood vaccination indicators to reflect MMRV introduction.

Improvement Thresholds for Childhood Vaccinations

Practices can earn points either through:
- Traditional achievement thresholds, or
- Improvement against their own 2‑year baseline.
Improvement thresholds start at 5 percentage points above baseline.

Vaccinations

RSV Programme Expansion

Adults 80+ and older adult care home residents added to the RSV vaccination cohort.
Item of Service fees apply.

Care Home Vaccination Requirements (PCNs)

PCNs must ensure eligible care home residents are identified and offered vaccinations.
Delivery can be by the registered practice, another PCN practice, or subcontracted.

Seasonal Vaccination Collaboration

Flu and COVID vaccination can now be delivered collaboratively under the Network DES.

Network Contract DES Changes

ARRS

Restriction to “recently qualified GPs” removed.
Maximum reimbursement increased to the top of salaried GP pay range plus on‑costs.
PCNs may recruit a broader range of roles with commissioner agreement.

Cancer Requirements

Clearer expectations on:
- Referral quality (aligned with NICE NG12)
- Safety‑netting (including electronic tools)
- Proactive support for screening uptake

Continuity of Care

PCNs must use risk stratification to identify and prioritise continuity cohorts.

PCN–Neighbourhood Alignment

PCNs must work with ICBs to align PCN geography with local neighbourhood footprints where needed.