Core Hours and Service Delivery in General Practice

General Practice core hours are defined as:

Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
(Excluding Bank Holidays)

Practices have the flexibility to determine how services are provided within these hours in consultation with their patients and Patient Participation Group (PPG). The core contract does not require a practice to:

• Be open at all times within core hours
• Have a clinician on-site at all times
• Deliver all services continuously throughout core hours

However, practices must ensure that their opening hours and service provision are sufficient to meet the reasonable needs of their patients.

Essential Services

8.1.1 Service Provision

Practices must provide essential services during core hours at times that appropriately meet the needs of their patients. There must also be arrangements in place for patients to access these services in case of an emergency.

8.1.2 Scope of Essential Services

Practices are required to provide:

• Care for registered and temporary patients who are:
  • Ill with conditions where recovery is generally expected
  • Terminally ill
  • Suffering from chronic disease
• Ongoing treatment and care tailored to the specific needs of patients

The delivery of these services is at the discretion of the practice, following discussions with patients to ensure care is appropriate.

Subcontracting Core Hours

It is common for practices to subcontract a portion of their core hours to another provider—for example, to facilitate staff training.

If a practice intends to subcontract, they must notify the commissioner. The commissioner can only object if there is:

• A demonstrable risk to patients
• Material financial loss to the commissioner

For further guidance on service delivery and contractual compliance, please contact the LMC.