As we move through June, several significant developments have emerged which will likely shape the near and long-term landscape of UK primary care. These updates reflect a concerted push from policymakers and system leaders to embed greater transparency, promote digital transformation, address workforce challenges, and bring care delivery closer to communities. Below is a more detailed analysis of the week’s key announcements and implications for general practice teams across the country.

Proposed “Patient Charter” to Become a Contractual Requirement A draft version of a new patient charter was published by NHS England, which, although released prematurely and still subject to final approval, offers a strong indication of the direction of travel. The charter is intended to be a visible, public-facing commitment on every GP practice website, setting out the standards of care that patients can reasonably expect. These include being informed of what happens next within one working day following a request, as well as clear information on how to escalate concerns if standards are not met.

This charter also seeks to define patient responsibilities, underscoring the importance of shared accountability in care delivery. Although practices are not yet mandated to implement the charter, its inclusion in contractual documentation is expected imminently. Practices are advised to begin preparing by reviewing their internal workflows, response times, and escalation protocols to ensure alignment.

Expansion of the NHS App for Clinical Research Recruitment In alignment with the forthcoming ten-year NHS strategy, NHS England announced that the NHS App will now be used to notify users of clinical research opportunities tailored to their personal health profiles. These targeted messages are intended to increase public participation in clinical trials, particularly among groups historically underrepresented in research.

The functionality will be delivered through integration with the NIHR’s “Be Part of Research” platform, aiming to reduce trial setup times from 250 days to 150 days and provide a national model for equitable recruitment. This reflects a shift towards digital-first, patient-centred engagement strategies, and practices may wish to familiarise staff with how patients might interact with these features and make enquiries through primary care.

GP Practices Piloting Early Pancreatic Cancer Detection Using Patient Records A national pilot programme was launched this week across hundreds of GP practices in England to identify patients at higher risk of pancreatic cancer using retrospective patient record analysis. The pilot, underpinned by predictive algorithms and AI-assisted record screening, seeks to flag patients for early testing who may not otherwise present with symptoms.

This initiative positions general practice at the heart of preventative diagnostics and showcases the expanding role of primary care in early-stage intervention. The pilot may lead to future mandates on data usage, coding consistency, and system interoperability to support national screening efforts.

Renewed Focus on Pharmacy Funding and Service Integration Following the recent Spending Review, Community Pharmacy England (CPE) and other stakeholders have renewed calls for increased funding and better integration between pharmacy and primary care. The revised payment framework for Pharmacy First has sparked both interest and concern, with sector leaders warning that without adequate financial support, implementation risks becoming unsustainable.

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock confirmed that the Department of Health and Social Care is actively reviewing the funding allocation model and acknowledged the essential role of community pharmacies in relieving pressure on GP appointments. Practices may wish to explore local collaborative arrangements and review their current use of Pharmacy First pathways to ensure maximum benefit.

Primary Care Funding Guidance for 2025/26 Released NHS England issued detailed financial guidance for 2025/26, which includes:

• £1.697 billion for the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS), enabling practices to employ a range of professionals including care coordinators, paramedics, social prescribing link workers, and more
• £122 million ring-fenced for GP IT infrastructure and premises improvement, including upgrades to digital telephony and cybersecurity systems
• Continued funding for ophthalmic, dental, and pharmaceutical services within schools and special educational settings

This significant investment package is aimed at enabling primary care to modernise its estate, bolster its workforce, and digitise operations to meet future demands.

Calls for Structured Career Pathways for Salaried GPs During the NHS Confederation conference in Manchester, Dr Amanda Doyle (National Director for Primary Care) highlighted the importance of offering structured progression opportunities for salaried GPs, particularly those not pursuing the partnership route. She argued that the traditional model no longer reflects the needs or expectations of the emerging workforce.

Her remarks were part of a broader endorsement of “at-scale” working models that encourage collaboration across networks and larger provider groups. Practices may need to re-examine their workforce strategies and explore rotational models or in-house development schemes to retain and nurture talent.

Wes Streeting’s Vision: A Neighbourhood Health Service Health Secretary Wes Streeting made headlines this week by proposing sweeping structural reforms that would enable high-performing GP partnerships to take over the running of local hospitals and allow acute trusts to provide general practice services. The vision is to break down the institutional barriers between primary and secondary care and develop a fully integrated “neighbourhood health service.”

This concept aligns with Integrated Care System (ICS) goals but represents a marked acceleration in the push for collaborative, locality-based delivery. While the proposals have drawn both praise and criticism, they signal a clear commitment to reshaping provider relationships and redistributing accountability.

Looking Ahead These announcements collectively reflect a recalibration of how primary care is expected to function within the wider NHS. With digital transformation, workforce reform, contractual transparency, and integrated working all firmly on the agenda, practices should remain alert and agile. The anticipated ten-year strategy, due for publication in July, will likely formalise many of these developments and set the tone for NHS delivery models going forward.

How General Practice Solutions Can Support You During This Period of Change As the landscape of primary care continues to shift, General Practice Solutions (GPS) remains committed to helping practices adapt with confidence. Whether it is through easing the administrative burden via high-quality clinical coding, strengthening referral management pathways, or providing reliable outsourced telephony support, our services are tailored to enhance practice efficiency and resilience.

We understand that clarity, compliance, and consistency are vital—particularly in light of new contractual expectations such as the patient charter and evolving models of integrated care. Our experienced associates are trained to meet these standards, and our management team provides full operational oversight, ensuring that every partner receives seamless support that reflects current NHS priorities.

Additionally, we offer CQC-readiness services, policy development, and governance support—ideal for practices undergoing inspection preparation or restructuring. With dedicated teams working across system platforms such as EMIS and SystmOne, and a robust framework for quality assurance, GPS is well-positioned to support the delivery of safe, efficient, and patient-centred care in both everyday and strategic planning contexts.

We also support Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), Primary Care Networks (PCNs), and larger federations with scaled solutions that include service mobilisation, clinical auditing, performance reporting, and business continuity planning. This supports alignment with the broader ambitions outlined in the upcoming ten-year NHS strategy, including place-based care, workforce integration, and digital transformation.

At General Practice Solutions, we are committed to helping primary care providers not only cope with change but thrive within it. By embedding ourselves within your systems, processes, and ethos, we ensure our contribution is not only effective but aligned with your long-term goals.

Click here to see how GPS can support your organisation today.

Workforce Wednesdays: HR Hot Topics with Jordan

Staying informed about workforce issues is key to building resilient primary care teams—especially during times of operational change and staffing pressure. Join us every week for Workforce Wednesdays, where our HR lead Jordan explores topical issues in primary care staffing, employment law updates, and practical solutions for managing teams effectively.

From handling absences to navigating contract changes, Jordan shares clear, actionable insights that help practice leaders stay ahead.

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For more up-to-date primary care news, tune in to Tuesday Talks! Each week, we discuss key industry updates, policy changes, and how they impact healthcare providers. We also highlight the latest services and solutions offered by GPS, helping practices stay ahead in an ever-changing NHS landscape.

Join us for expert insights, practical advice, and in-depth discussions tailored to primary care professionals.

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