The National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) has today responded to the publication of the 2026/27 GP Contract changes, following formal discussion with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England.
In its submission to DHSC and NHS England
‘NAPC set out a clear ambition: that this year’s contract should do more than adjust technical requirements — it should signal a reset in the relationship between national bodies and general practice, grounded in trust, realism and shared accountability.’
Following the close of consultation, NHS England has confirmed the final package of changes.
A moment to rebuild trust
NAPC welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the consultation.
Andy Brooks, Clinical Chair of NAPC, said:
“General practice is under sustained strain. Many practices are operating in firefighting mode. Against that backdrop, even reasonable individual changes can feel cumulative.
This contract presented an opportunity to signal realism and reciprocity. We welcome the fact that some important feedback from across the system has been heard.”
Strengthening neighbourhood accountability
NAPC emphasised four areas that it believes are critical to the future of general practice:
- Clear accountability for general practice within neighbourhood care
- A shift towards person-centred and population-level outcomes
- Ongoing transformation support
- Reciprocal collaboration between health and care organisations
The 2026/27 contract includes new expectations around neighbourhood alignment and continuity of care at PCN level.
NAPC supports the ambition to organise services around natural communities, provided that changes are proportionate, locally led and properly resourced.
“General practice — and GPs in particular — are willing to take accountability for medical leadership and outcomes within neighbourhood models of care, however accountability must be matched with investment in clinical leadership capacity and transformation support.”
Access and continuity must go hand in hand
NAPC recognises the policy focus on access, including the explicit requirement for same-day response to clinically urgent need and removal of caps on online consultations. However, there should be caution against an over-reliance on narrow or transactional access metrics.
“Whilst improving speed of response is important, continuity is what ultimately improves outcomes, reduces demand and builds trust.”
Evolving QOF and prevention
NAPC encouraged a broader shift away from multiple small transactional targets towards population health and person-centred outcomes, particularly in long-term condition management.
“We would like to see prevention, metabolic health, decision quality and patient agency more explicitly embedded in future reform,” Brooks added.
Workforce flexibility and experience
NAPC has consistently advocated for a population-needs → skills → roles approach to workforce planning. The increased flexibility within ARRS confirmed in the final contract is therefore welcome.
The introduction of a national general practice staff survey requirement is supported in principle, provided it is used to strengthen workforce experience and organisational development rather than performance management.
“If we want thriving neighbourhood teams, we must invest not only in headcount but in culture, leadership and team effectiveness,” said Brooks.
The need for continuous transformation support
Across its consultation engagement NAPC stressed that contract reform alone is insufficient without sustained transformation support — including workflow redesign, digital enablement, organisational development and co-production with communities.
With ICB capacity under pressure, NAPC urges national bodies to ensure that improvement support is continuous rather than one-off and recognises variation in starting positions across practices.
Looking ahead
NAPC reiterates that it is not a negotiating body and that formal remuneration discussions appropriately sit with GPC England, as reflected in the consultation framework.
However, as a system-wide primary care membership organisation, NAPC will continue to:
- Support implementation through shared learning and leadership development
- Promote neighbourhood-based, person-centred models of care
- Advocate for relational, population-focused reform
- Contribute constructively to the longer-term GMS reform programme
Brooks concluded:
“There is real opportunity within this contract cycle. If implemented with realism, pacing and reciprocity, it can strengthen general practice’s role at the heart of neighbourhood health.
The next phase must focus not only on contractual compliance, but on building the conditions for thriving, person-centred, general practice.”
Media enquiries:
National Association of Primary Care (NAPC)
napc@napc.co.uk
www.napc.co.uk
