The statement came as the DH prepared to reveal details of changes to the GMS contract set to be imposed from 2013/14 and in subsequent years.
Initial details released by the DH confirm that the MPIG deal, which provides top-ups to core pay for around 60% of GP practices across the UK, will be phased out over seven years.
The DH said it will decide on whether to award an increase in GP funding for 2013/14 ‘following recommendations from the Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB) in February'. The DDRB makes independent recommendations on GP pay.
If there is an increase to GP pay, this will be ‘distributed in a way that gives some increase to all GP practices, but is targeted towards those with less current funding per patient’, a DH statement says.
Extra services to be commissioned from GP practices will cover:
- Improving the assessment of people with dementia.
- Improving care management for frail older people and other high risk patients at risk of unplanned hospital admissions.
- Using technology to help monitor the health of people with long-term conditions and improving online access to services.
The DH confirmed this means 'GPs will be delivering more to retain the money they were getting under the old organisational indicators'. It added: 'The NHS Commissioning Board will develop more detailed specifications for these new schemes.'
Meanwhile, the DH added that it is proposing investment of up to £10 million annually to GP practices for two new vaccination programmes for rotavirus and shingles.
- How the media is reporting the 2013/14 contract changes
- Click here to see the GP contract consultation letter
- GPs warn of workforce crisis if GMS contract changes imposed
- DH plans to scrap MPIG could force 5% of practices out of business
- UK reaction to GMS contract change for England
- QOF thresholds to rise to 100% in contract plans
