Funding in England

2021/22

There have been a number of changes to QOF and IIF from December 2021, which are set out in detail above.

Existing funding streams (global sum, QOF, DES’, local services, DSQS etc) returned to normal from March 2021, except:

• GPC secured an extension of the additional PCN clinical director funding into the first half of 2021/22.
  
  This is equivalent to an increase from 0.25 WTE to 1 WTE for those PCNs where at least one practice is participating in the vaccination programme enhanced service.
  
  This funding is able to be flexibly deployed by PCNs as required.
• GPC secured an additional £120m for the COVID capacity expansion fund for practices from 1 April to 30 September 2021.
  
  £120 million of revenue funding has been allocated to systems, ringfenced exclusively for general practice, to support the expansion of capacity.
  
  Monthly allocations are £30m in April and May, £20m in each of June and July and reach £10m in August and September.

There have been a number of changes to QOF and IIF from December 2021, which are set out in detail above.

2019/20

QOF was income protected for 2019/20. No other funding changes were provided during the 2019/20 year.

Funding in Wales

It was agreed between Welsh Government and GPC Wales that elements of the Welsh GMS contract would be relaxed during the pandemic. In Welsh Government’s initial letter regarding this on 17 March, the guiding principle was outlined that practices will not be financially penalised for the changes to the contract.

Enhanced services

Practice income for services that are relaxed will be guaranteed until 30 September 2021 at levels equal to activity during 2019/20. Post-payment verification has also been suspended for this duration.

Access standards

Practices still required to complete the majority of applicable standards. The achievement for access standard 2 (calls answered) at the end of March 2021 will be carried forward. The achievement for this standard is counted the same as at March 2020, with practices retaining the ability to evidence achievement if they didn’t last year.

Premises rent valuation

An extension to the NHS (General Medical Services - Premises Costs) (Wales) Directions 2015 has been agreed, and therefore the directions will be amended to show that a delay on rent valuations will remain in place until 31 March 2022.

Funding in Scotland

BMA Scotland has secured agreement from the Scottish Government that no practice should be left out of pocket as a result of responding to the COVID emergency.

A revised SFE (statement of financial entitlements) has been negotiated for the duration of the current pandemic, including this provision and setting out additional financial support that practices should expect.

Practices have been issued a share of £20million as an advance on the costs that will be reimbursed under the revised SFE. Further advances can be accessed by practices from their health board if required. Spending using these funds should be recorded using the template provided to practices and a reconciliation will take place in July.