Talking General Practice What GPs want from next year’s contract, how NHS delays affect GPs, the ‘left shift’ of funding
Oct 16, 2026
GPs weigh up what they want from the next contract, from fairer funding and flexible online access to the future of reimbursement schemes and list cleaning. NHS delays are driving extra work in surgeries, while hospital deficits threaten plans to shift resources into neighbourhood care. Plus, a short-staffed Cumbrian practice prepares to reopen.
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Reimbursement Scheme Finally Gains Flexibility
- October’s reimbursement change lets practices claim funding for locums and partners’ extra sessions, correcting the scheme’s earlier rigidity.
- The £292 million scheme came from former PCN capacity funding, so practices have repeatedly had to rearrange staffing and funding mid-year.
List Cleaning Leaves Funding Promise Unclear
- Government promises to reinvest list-cleaning savings in core general practice, but gives no formula, timetable, or eligibility rules.
- More than 800,000 patients have been removed, already reducing core funding by over £100 million annually.
Same-Day Access Depends On Recording Rules
- NHS England is targeting 90% same-day access for urgent patients by March 2027 and may threaten contractual action against underperforming practices.
- Practices may be delivering the service but losing credit because complex recording rules fail to capture it accurately.