GP reimbursement scheme: what practices need to know from 1 October 2026

Changes to the GP reimbursement scheme take effect from 1 October 2026, expanding the circumstances in which practices may be able to claim funding for increased GP participation.

The scheme runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 and is intended to support increased or maintained GP participation.

From 1 October, eligible claims can include increased participation by locum GPs as well as salaried GPs.

What can practices claim?

Subject to the scheme’s eligibility, additionality and prior-employment requirements, funding may be available for:

• A new salaried GP
• Additional sessions from an existing salaried GP, where their annualised sessions were previously below nine per week and are increased to no more than nine
• Additional sessions from an existing locum GP, where their annualised sessions with the practice were previously below nine per week and are increased to no more than nine
• A qualifying salaried GP post previously funded through Capacity and Access Payments or the PCN Test Sites Programme where that funding has ceased or is ceasing

How much funding is available?

The practice funding cap is calculated as £4.57 multiplied by the practice’s adjusted population at 1 January 2026.

For a new GP or continuation post, reimbursement is limited to the lower of:

• The actual salary plus employer National Insurance and pension costs; or
• £152,900, increasing to £155,698 where London weighting applies.

For additional sessions, funding is limited to the lower of the actual cost or the applicable NHS England hourly rate.

Locum claims are capped at £78.41 per hour, or £79.84 where London weighting applies.

Additionality is important

The scheme cannot be used to provide double funding.

Sessions must genuinely add capacity to the practice. They cannot simply be claimed through the scheme to cover the absence of another GP.

Practices with more than 3,500 patients per GP must seek NHS England approval before participating and should contact their Integrated Care Board before accessing the scheme.

Making a claim

Claims must be submitted through CQRS Local within three months of the end of the month to which the claim relates.

Practices must also notify NHS England of any changes that could affect their eligibility.

What should practices do now?

Before increasing GP sessions or committing to additional costs, practices should check that both the practice and the proposed arrangement meet the scheme’s eligibility requirements.

It is also important to retain supporting evidence, including:

• Employment contracts
• Session records
• Salary information
• Employer National Insurance costs
• Pension costs
• Locum costs

Taking these steps before making changes can help practices establish whether the costs are likely to qualify for reimbursement and ensure the necessary evidence is available when a claim is submitted.

If you would like to discuss the scheme and what it could mean for your practice, please get in touch with a member of our Healthcare team.