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The March Primary Care Network Update and a Round-Up Of The Latest NHS Guidance
- Tara Humphrey
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 15
At THC Primary Care, we provide resources for primary care network leaders.
As we head into spring 2025, general practice faces a landscape of significant change. Our latest infographic highlights several important developments that will shape primary care in the coming months.
The focus of this blog will cover:
The aboloition of NHS England
The changes coming soon regarding the GP contract and the PCN DES
The national insurance update
Links to all of the NHS guidance summaries in one place
Let's jump in!
As of the 24th of March, the major updates affecting primary care networks is presented below.
These changes have been widely reported, so you should be reassured you are aware of all of the significant updates.
NHS England Abolished
The most dramatic headline is Prime Minister Keir Starmer's March 13th announcement that NHS England will be abolished. The organisation has been described as "overstretched and unfocused," with the stated aim of cutting bureaucracy and returning the NHS to democratic control.
This restructuring comes with substantial workforce implications, as Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) have been instructed to cut their costs by 50%.
2025/26 GP Contract: Largest Investment in a Decade
The new GP contract announced on February 28th brings an investment increase of £889 million, representing a 7.2% cash uplift (4.8% real growth). This raises the total contract value from £12.3bn to £13.2bn, the most significant increase in over ten years.
GPC England fully agreed to the contract, which includes the government's commitment to develop a new substantive contract within this Parliament.
National Insurance
Unfortunately, GP practices have not been exempted from the increase in employer National Insurance contributions (from 13.8% to 15%). MPs voted against a Lords' amendment that would have frozen NICs for GP practices.
This will place additional financial pressure on practices already managing tight budgets and rising costs. Unlike NHS trusts and certain other employers, GP practices will need to absorb these increased expenses without special exemptions. The new GP contract may offset some of this increase, so there is still hope.
Our resident finance expert Natasha Payce, Healthcare Assistant Manager | PCN Lead Kent-Gatwick region | MHA - UK member of Baker Tilly International, shares her take on the implications for PCNs in our autumn budget blog below.
NHS Guidance Summaries
If you want further insights beyond the headlines, check out our summaries below.
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THC Primary Care is an award-winning healthcare consultancy specialising in Primary Care Network Management and the creator of the Business of Healthcare Podcast. With over 20 years in the industry, we've supported more than 200 PCNs through interim management, training, and consultancy.
Our expertise spans project management and business development across both private and public sectors. Our work has been published in the London Journal of Primary Care, and we've authored over 250 blogs sharing insights about primary care networks.
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