GP practices

GP practices are independent businesses that hold a contract with the NHS to provide primary medical care services. While NHS Kent and Medway commissions them to deliver these services, GPs are entirely responsible for running their own business, including day-to-day decisions such as:

  • how to organise appointments
  • which staff to hire
  • how to manage the premises they deliver services from and equipment they need.

They are organised into primary care networks.

Contract

This contract is held between the NHS and individual or partnerships of GPs and is the same contract across the country. GP practices can be run by individual doctors, partnerships, or limited companies. They provide services under one of three national GP contracts — General Medical Services (GMS), Personal Medical Services (PMS), or Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS). These contracts are held between the NHS and the practice, setting out the services they must provide to patients.

They may have several smaller contracts for other services as well. They must follow NHS rules for safety and quality, and they need to talk to patients about any big changes.

NAPC review highlights challenges facing general practice and sets out a route to improvement

NHS Kent and Medway commissioned the National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) to undertake an independent review of general practice across Kent and Medway.

The review found that pressures facing general practice are not simply the result of GP shortages. Instead, they are driven by a combination of increasing patient need, growing clinical complexity, workforce pressures, rising demand and challenges within the wider health and care system. The review also found that these pressures are not experienced equally, with some communities facing greater challenges than others.

The review recognises the important role general practice plays as the foundation of NHS care and highlights the commitment and professionalism of local practice teams in continuing to provide high-quality care despite significant pressures. It also identifies opportunities to strengthen services, improve resilience and support the long-term sustainability of primary care.

In response, NHS Kent and Medway has developed a 24-month improvement plan which builds on work already underway. This includes strengthening support for practices under pressure, improving digital and telephone systems, supporting recruitment and retention, investing in workforce development, strengthening neighbourhood health services and improving the way different parts of the NHS work together. The plan will focus particular attention on areas facing the greatest challenges while ensuring support is available to practices across Kent and Medway.

We will continue to work closely with GPs, Primary Care Networks, patients, local authorities and partners to develop and deliver the next phase of improvements.

Read the NAPC final report: Appendix 1 Kent and Medway NAPC final report [pdf].

Read the Kent and Medway General Practice Improvement Plan: Kent and Medway General Practice Improvement Plan: Response to the NAPC Independent Review [docx].