Eligible participants received financial support to ease their transition into partnership, including:
A one-off payment of up to £20,000 (pro-rata for part-time roles) to support their establishment as a partner.
A contribution of up to £4,000 towards on-costs (such as tax and National Insurance contributions) for full-time participants.
A training fund of up to £3,000 to help develop essential non-clinical partnership skills, such as leadership, business management, and finance.
To qualify for the scheme, applicants needed to meet the following criteria:
Be a healthcare professional working in general practice, delivering clinical care through a GMS, PMS, or APMS contract, and registered with their respective professional body.
Have never previously been a partner in a GP practice.
Hold a profit-share, legally-liable partnership within a GP practice.
Commit to remaining a partner for a minimum of five years (or repay a portion of the loan if they leave earlier).
Work a minimum of two clinical sessions per week in their partnership practice throughout the five-year period.
Have signed a partnership agreement on or after 1 April 2020 and before the scheme’s closure.
Have at least two years remaining on their contract at the time of application.
Applicants were required to submit an application form and supporting evidence to NHS England and Improvement (NHSEI) to confirm their eligibility. Initially, applications were accepted via email at england.newtopartnershipenquiries@nhs.net, with plans for an application portal to be introduced later in the process.
The N2PP scheme provided vital financial and educational support to new partners, ensuring they had the resources and knowledge to succeed in their roles. By stabilising the partnership model, the initiative aimed to enhance workforce retention, strengthen general practice, and improve patient care.
Although the scheme has now closed, its impact continues to be felt in the ongoing development and sustainability of primary care partnerships. If you are considering becoming a GP partner, it is advisable to seek support and guidance from your Local Medical Committee (LMC) and experienced partners within your practice.