Agreement has been reached between the BMA and NHS Employers to develop the GMS national contract for 2006/07. Changes to the national General Medical Services (GMS) contract will take effect from 1 April 2006.

The changes should include:

• Patient Access Changing the way practices are rewarded for improved patient access including advanced booking, telephone access as well as being able to consult a GP within 48-hours
• QoF 9 new clinical areas introduced, totalling 138 points, these include kidney disease and mental health
• Choice Reimbursing general practice at a rate of 95p per registered patient for the additional workload in discussing choices and securing secondary care appointments for patients
• Practice Based Commissioning A one year DES with a two-part payment, designed to encourage practices to engage in PBC
• Patient Surveys A new independent patient experience survey launched to trigger payments to general practice for access and choice
• DES (Direct Enhanced Services) 4 new DESs are being
  introduced in England and are available to practices if they want to expand the range of services they offer. These include: Choice and booking, Practice Based Commissioning, IM&T and Accesst