Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 41
41
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 134
GP partners faced regrettable uncertainty, now reassured Government will maintain partnership model.
Conclusion
It is regrettable that during a time of intense pressure for GPs, following a massive effort by GPs to lead the vital covid-19 vaccination programme, that GP partners were subjected to such open speculation and uncertainty about their futures. It is welcome that the Government and NHS England have confirmed that there is no policy to end the partnership model, which is a positive first step to reassuring GP partners.
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts by reaffirming there is no policy to abolish the GP partnership model, noting past investments, and expressing support for diverse primary care provision models.
Paragraph Reference:
134
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Partially accept. The Department partially accepts this recommendation. The Government confirms there is currently no policy to abolish the partnership model, which is the majority model for general practice delivery and works well in many places. We have already invested in growing general practice through the 2019 Five Year Framework contract, the Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme, New to Partnership Payments, and an associated rise in funding. We have responded to the committee’s specific recommendations on GP premises and ability to form limited liability partnerships below. We note the reference to other models of primary care provision, and agree that different localities have varying needs and challenges to address. In response to these, practices can and do choose to organise themselves in different ways to deliver services and we wish to support a range of models of primary care provision, including the partnership model. Commissioners can also choose to commission these providers in different ways to meet the specific needs of their populations.