An amendment to paragraph 100 of Schedule 5 of the PMS Agreements Regulations outlines that a contract can only be terminated in cases of breach of contract, where a breach cannot be rectified, or by giving notice.

It legislates that a period of no less than six months must be given before a PMS contract is terminated.

Dr Johnny Marshall, NAPC chairman, said that the amending regulations came at a critical time when reports of aggressive stances on the part of some PCTs were being adopted in relation to practices with PMS contracts. 

Dr Marshall said: ‘These regulations are important. The amendment to a paragraph 100 of Schedule 5 of the PMS Agreements Regulations makes it clear that PCTs are unable to terminate unilaterally PMS contracts, except where there has been a breach of contract, which cannot be rectified, or by giving notice. They also help protect practices from PCTs unilaterally imposing unfair contract variations and threatening termination, if not accepted.'

He added: ‘NAPC would like to hear from its PMS members, where they are experiencing unreasonable difficulties with their PCTs. We shall endeavour to ensure that contracts are not being undermined arbitrarily'.