Scottish General Practitioners Committee

New GMS Contract Implementation
Information Update No. 1 August 2003

Pay Modernisation Director
The Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) has appointed Mr John Turner as Pay Modernisation Director for GMS.

Mr Turner will oversee implementation of the new GMS contract in Scotland and provide implementation support to Health Boards.

From his initial visits to individual Health Board areas, Mr Turner has been advised that there is a desire across the service in Scotland for one authoritative source of information on Scottish GMS contract implementation. SGPC has expressed willingness to collaborate with SEHD and Mr Turner on preparation of appropriate information.

It is envisaged that a GMS Contract Implementation website will be set up to host joint agreed information and the answers to frequently asked questions.

Monthly meetings have been scheduled between SGPC, SEHD and the Pay Modernisation Director to address Scotland specific contract issues.

Implementation Contract Working Groups
A Scottish Implementation Reference Group, which will be led by Mr Turner, has been set up by SEHD to ensure successful implementation in Scotland of the new GMS contract. The Reference Group is multidisciplinary and includes representatives from across NHSScotland. The Reference Group will also co-ordinate the work of eight contract working groups which have been established to consider the following specific contract areas:

SGPC has representation on the Reference Group and the eight working groups. The working groups will be meeting during August and the output of those meetings will be considered at the next Scottish Reference Group meeting which is scheduled for 26 September.

Practice Contracts
A national template for a model practice contract will be produced in due course by GPC. The only local change likely to be required to the model contract will be the inclusion of Enhanced Services arrangements.

GMS Allocations for 2003-04
On 1 August SEHD issued a letter setting out indicative FHS allocations for 2003-04. �11.9m is available this year for to fund Enhanced Services. This has been allocated to Boards in accordance with the Scottish Allocation Formula for GMS. As a result of an agreement reached between SGPC and SEHD, priority will be given this year to funding three Local Development Schemes which will become Directed Enhanced Services from 1 April 2004. The three LDSs to be prioritised are as follows:

• Influenza immunisation for at-risk patients under the age of 65

• Quality information preparation

• Services to support staff dealing with violent patients

LMCs should note that PCTs/Boards will be required to consult their constituent local practices, LMCs and Patient Forums about the level of investment they propose to make on Enhanced Services, and how it will be used in line with the PCO’s strategic objectives. LMCs may wish to advise their constituent practices that they should now be planning how they might provide influenza immunisations to patients under 65, and embark on quality information preparation.

48 Hour Access
The Scottish Executive issued a letter about 48 hour access on 15 July 2003. LMCs should be aware that at present 48 hour access is not a mandatory requirement for practices. Under the new GMS contract, Access is part of the Quality and Outcomes framework and, as such, participation in it is voluntary. Practices achievement the Access standard within the Quality and Outcomes Framework will be awarded 50 quality points.