Uncovering the 2025-26 GP Contract Changes

Seven percent growth in contract funding is not just a headline—it signals a fundamental shift in how general practice will operate across England. As the NHS sets its sights on digital-first care, prevention, and community-based services, the 2025-26 GP contract introduces requirements and opportunities that will redefine the patient and clinician experience.

For practices, these changes are more than a checklist. They represent a chance to streamline workflows, harness new technology, and deliver care in ways that were previously out of reach. Whether it’s the move to all-day online consultations or the integration of advanced risk stratification tools, understanding the nuances of this contract could be the key to thriving in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

The Big Picture – What’s Changing and Why?

The 2025-26 GP contract brings a 7.2% cash growth, translating to an £889 million increase in funding for general practice. This is not just a financial uplift; it is a clear signal from NHS England that the future of primary care lies in prevention, community-based services, and digital transformation. The contract empowers patients and practices, making care more accessible, efficient, and sustainable.

This shift is not happening in isolation. It aligns with broader NHS ambitions to reduce pressure on secondary care, improve patient outcomes, and ensure that every pound spent delivers maximum value. For practices, this means adapting to new digital requirements, embracing data-driven care, and rethinking how services are offered to meet evolving patient needs.

Digital Access Requirements – What Practices Must Do

Online Consultation Tools: The New Standard

From 1 October 2025, all practices must keep their online consultation tools open for the entire duration of core hours (8am–6:30pm). This is a significant change, as it ensures patients can submit non-urgent appointment requests, medication queries, and administrative requests at any time during the working day.

Key requirements include:

• Online consultation platforms must be accessible throughout core hours.

• Safeguards must be in place to prevent urgent clinical requests from being submitted online inappropriately.

• Clear guidance should be displayed on practice websites to help patients use the system correctly.

Why this matters: Practices that optimise their online consultation tools will not only meet contractual obligations but also improve patient satisfaction, reduce phone traffic, and streamline administrative processes. Choosing a robust, user-friendly platform is now essential for both compliance and efficiency.

GP Connect and Seamless Information Sharing

What is GP Connect?

By 1 October 2025, practices must enable specific GP Connect functionalities. This includes:

• Read-only access to patient care records for NHS-commissioned providers and, with explicit patient permission, private healthcare providers.

• Community pharmacy professionals can send consultation summaries directly into the GP practice workflow.

Benefits for practices:

• Reduces administrative burden by automating the flow of information.

• Improves continuity of care by ensuring all providers have access to up-to-date patient records.

• Enhances collaboration between GPs, pharmacies, and secondary care.

How to Prepare

1. Review your current IT systems and ensure compatibility with GP Connect.

2. Train staff on new workflows and data-sharing protocols.

3. Communicate changes to patients, especially regarding data privacy and consent.

Enhancing Digital Communication with Patients

New Digital Communication Channels

NHS England can now contact patients digitally when they move out of a practice area, rather than relying solely on written communication. This change:

• Provides additional routes to advise patients about registration options.

• Reduces delays and improves the patient experience during transitions.

Secure Messaging and Patient Engagement

Practices should consider secure messaging platforms that meet NHS standards, ensuring that all digital communications are safe, confidential, and user-friendly. This not only supports compliance but also builds trust with patients.

Transparency, Patient Information, and the Digital Patient Charter

The Digital Patient Charter

A new Digital Patient Charter will be published by NHS England, outlining what patients can expect from their practice. Practices are required to:

• Publish the charter on their websites.

• Clearly communicate how requests are handled and what patients can expect in terms of service.

Why this matters: Transparency builds patient confidence and helps manage expectations. By proactively sharing information, practices can reduce complaints and improve overall satisfaction.

Care Quality, Risk Stratification, and Funding Opportunities

Capacity and Access Improvement Payment (CAIP)

The CAIP payment (£87.6 million) will continue, but with a new focus:

1. Supporting modern general practice access (£58.4 million).

2. Incentivising Primary Care Networks (PCNs) to risk stratify patients (£29.2 million), especially those who would benefit most from continuity of care.

Risk Stratification Tools:

Practices are encouraged to adopt AI and machine learning-driven analytics to identify patients at higher risk of poor outcomes. Effective risk stratification enables:

• Proactive care management for vulnerable groups.

• Better allocation of resources.

• Improved patient outcomes and reduced hospital admissions.

Action steps:

• Invest in data visualisation and analytics tools.

• Train clinicians to interpret and act on risk stratification insights.

• Use these insights to inform care planning and resource allocation.

Patient Safety, Out of Area Registration, and Enhanced Services

Patient Safety Reporting

Practices must register for an administrator account with the Learn from Patient Safety Events (LFPSE) service. This system:

• Facilitates the recording of patient safety events.

• Contributes to NHS-wide learning and improvement.

Out of Area Registration

New requirements mean practices must work closely with commissioners when expanding lists with out-of-area patients. Key safeguards include:

• Commissioner approval for rapid list expansion.

• Closing patient lists to new out-of-area registrations during the approval process.

• Ensuring safety and effectiveness of arrangements.

Enhanced Service for Advice and Guidance

A new enhanced service, worth up to £80 million, supports closer working between general practice and secondary care. Practices can claim a £20 Item of Service payment for pre-referral requests, helping to:

• Reduce unnecessary referrals.

• Move care from secondary to community settings.

• Improve collaboration and patient outcomes.

Conclusion

The 2025-26 GP contract is more than a set of new rules—it is a roadmap for a smarter, more connected, and patient-centred NHS. By embracing digital transformation, investing in risk stratification, and focusing on transparency and safety, practices can meet contractual requirements and deliver better care.

The Medicines Management Team (TMMT) is here to help your practice navigate these changes, select the right digital tools, and turn regulatory updates into real-world improvements. Stay ahead, stay compliant, and let’s build the future of general practice together.

FAQs

What are the main changes in the 2025-26 GP contract?

The 2025-26 GP contract introduces increased funding, mandatory online consultation tools during core hours, enhanced digital access, and new risk stratification and patient safety reporting requirements. These changes aim to modernise general practice and improve patient care.

How will online consultation tools affect my practice?

What is GP Connect and why is it important?

How does the new contract support patient safety?

What opportunities do these changes create for digital health solutions?