Medics Money podcast Ep 317: March 25th Deadline: The Vote That Could Change NHS General Practice Forever
Mar 24, 2026
Dr Katie Bramall, Chair of the BMA GPC England, represents frontline GPs in negotiations with government. She explains how recent contract talks broke down and why promised uplifts may not match rising costs. The conversation covers shifting funding models, risks from redistributions like Carhill, pressures on hiring and practice planning, and what a member vote could trigger.
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How The 10-Year Plan Broke Contract Negotiations
- The government shifted from negotiated GMS commitments to consultation and neighbourhood provider plans, undoing earlier assurances about a new substantive contract.
- Katie Bramall traces the change to the 10-year plan and Treasury spending review which locked NHS funding at 2.6% and triggered single/multi‑neighbourhood provider talk.
Uplift Likely Not A Real Terms Rescue
- The announced 2026–27 uplift is unlikely to be a genuine real-terms increase once CPI, minimum wage rises and DDRB are accounted for.
- Katie expects DDRB recommendations but doubts combined uplifts will rescue general practice from accumulated demand and cost pressures.
Prepare For Flexible Use Of Capacity And Access Funds
- Expect flexibility in the new GP Practice Focus scheme and plan that existing GP sessions funded by PCN capacity may be allowed to continue.
- Katie recommends waiting for the regulations but says Amanda Doyle pushed for maximum flexibility to fund additional GP sessions.