GPs in England have received a contract offer for the next financial year, starting in April 2025, the government has announced.

The government also confirmed this week that negotiations for the current financial year community pharmacy contractual framework, which should have started in April 2024, will not begin until the new year.

Paul Rees, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) described this as an 'outrage', saying the move 'does nothing to reduce the chance of pharmacies being forced to take collective action to protect their services for patients'.

An extra £889m proposed for general practices

The government announced this morning that the new GP contract for 2025/26 is now out for consultation with the British Medical Association’s General Practice Committee.

It includes an extra £889m ‘on top of the existing budget’ for general practice, plans to reduce the number of QOF targets from 76 to 44, and the addition of practice nurses to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS).

Following the committee's feedback, the government plans to unveil the contract publicly in the spring, it said.

Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said the proposals included 'substantial additional investment and greater flexibility to employ doctors'.

And Ruth Rankine, director of the NHS Confederation's primary care network, said the proposed funding would be 'the biggest investment into general practice and PCNs since the end of the five-year contract deal two years ago'.

'Outrage' over 'seemingly endless delays' to pharmacy contract amid GP announcement

Mr Rees said it was 'an outrage that GP's have been offered their contract for the next financial year before pharmacies have even received an offer for the current year – nine months late'.

'There is huge strength of feeling among our members about their current financial position and this does nothing to reduce the chance of pharmacies being forced to take collective action to protect their services for patients,' he told The Pharmacist.

'The seemingly endless delays to this year’s contract negotiations only reinforces the belief that there is a lack of respect for pharmacies within government and leaves hardworking pharmacies abandoned in the dark, causing them stress and uncertainty about their future.

'Uncertainty about funding is preventing pharmacies from investing in better services and reform – instead making them take on debts or question whether they can continue at all.

'The government must get around the table as soon as is possible to end the crippling uncertainty and offer reassurance and security to pharmacies so they can serve their communities with confidence,' he added.