New GP contract agreed

Changes to the general medical services contract for 2014-2015 have been agreed by Health Minister Edwin Poots and the Northern Ireland General Practitioners Council (GPC).

Key elements of the agreement include increased levels of investment in general practice, and amendments to the quality and outcomes framework designed to improve patient care. The framework was introduced in 2004 and is based on evidence-based indicators. Practices score up points according to their performance and results are available at www.dhsspsni.gov.uk

GPC leader Dr Tom Black said: “This is a challenging time for the Health Service and I therefore welcome the fact that the Minister has listened carefully to the views of general practice and that we have been able to reach a deal that will be of benefit to our patients. With the issues resolved, we can engage on the important role that GPs and their staff will be playing in the delivery of Transforming Your Care.”

Northern Ireland has around 1,100 GPs working from 352 practices.