Well being Minister, Eluned Morgan, has introduced a brand new contract settlement with GPs in Wales, which can ship essentially the most important reform of the contract since 2004.
It features a new pay deal for all workers working normally apply and plans to cut back the executive burden for GPs, enabling them to give attention to offering high-quality care in contract preparations from 2023.
Recognising the important position of GPs and their groups, the settlement for this yr features a 4.5% pay uplift for GPs as advisable by the Medical doctors and Dentist Evaluate Physique, and goes additional to make sure all workers working inside basic apply additionally obtain the identical 4.5% pay uplift.
From April 2023, entry requirements, which practices have been working in direction of since 2019, will change into obligatory to attain and keep as a part of the GMS contract. This can assist make it simpler for individuals to entry GP appointments throughout Wales and they’ll know what to anticipate once they contact their GP apply.
The brand new  Unified Contract, shall be consulted on in spring 2023 and applied from autumn 2023. This can streamline and simplify present preparations to make sure GPs and their groups are capable of give attention to delivering companies to sufferers.
Welsh Authorities, GPC Wales and NHS Wales have dedicated to undertake additional joint work, to pursue additional adjustments and enhancements in a variety of key areas together with the sustainability of the workforce and the service.
Well being Minister Eluned Morgan mentioned:
GPs and their workers have labored tirelessly within the face of ongoing strain, to fulfill the wants of their sufferers. They’ve remained agile and responsive in these difficult occasions, and this settlement and funding acknowledges that dedication to delivering companies to sufferers.
We recognise that extra nonetheless must be finished to enhance entry to GP surgical procedures and this new contract will go a way in addressing that. Nonetheless, there have continued to be challenges confronted by some individuals in accessing their GP apply which must be resolved and we’ll guarantee we proceed to pursue enchancment.
As we transfer ahead, a brand new simplified and streamlined contract is not going to solely take away pointless forms for GPs and their groups however can even reinforce the requirements by which we anticipate GP practices to function – with affected person entry an integral a part of these requirements.
In April subsequent yr, I’ll set out extra element on how this new contract will work.
Nicola Prygodzicz, Chief Govt, Aneurin Bevan Well being Board mentioned:
We’re happy to see this settlement, reached by way of a collaborative spherical of tripartite negotiations, which recognises the exhausting work and dedication of all workers working inside basic apply.
The size of change being sought is formidable and is testomony to the dedication of all events to cut back forms and enhance companies for individuals in Wales. The broader agreements, together with the joint commitments to take ahead work in key areas, will allow us to proceed to work intently with the occupation and our stakeholders to assist the sustainability of the service in the long term.
Dr Gareth Oelmann, Chair of GPC Wales mentioned:
This contractual settlement is firmly rooted in offering sufferers with entry to companies based mostly on medical want, with an elevated emphasis on preventative well being measures.
We have now fought exhausting to make sure one of the best deal doable for GP practices in Wales within the present local weather. The restructured contractual fee mechanisms, while offering simplification and decreased field ticking forms, will create safety of revenue streams for practices, at a time when the viability of many has been introduced into query.
We’re moreover happy that as a consequence of this deal, our hard-working apply workers are capable of obtain a pay uplift.
We look ahead to delivering additional change and enhancements for GPs and sufferers in Wales in 2023.
