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

GP Contract 2026/27 funding changes for GP practices

GP reimbursement scheme amendments: what practices need to know

 NHS England has updated the 2026/27 practice-level GP reimbursement scheme, introducing a number of changes that could affect how GP practices access and use available funding.

The scheme runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 and is designed to support increased or maintained GP participation. From 1 October 2026, eligible claims can also include increased participation by locum GPs, alongside salaried GPs.

The latest amendments also introduce additional flexibility around funding transfers, clarify the eligibility period for newly employed GPs and provide for a higher hourly rate in certain circumstances.

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

Under the updated scheme, practices can also make claims for eligible new GPs employed between 24 February 2026 and 31 March 2027.

Locum GP claims from 1 October 2026

One of the most significant changes is the extension of the scheme to include qualifying increased participation by locum GPs from 1 October 2026.

For an existing locum GP, funding may be available where their annualised sessions with the practice were previously below nine per week and are increased to no more than nine.

This gives practices additional flexibility when considering how to increase GP capacity, but eligibility should be checked before additional sessions are agreed or costs are committed.

Funding can be transferred between GP practices

The amended scheme also allows a GP practice to transfer all or part of its funding entitlement to another GP practice.

This could provide greater flexibility where one practice is unable to use its full allocation but another practice has an eligible need for additional GP capacity.

Practices considering a transfer should ensure the proposed arrangement is eligible under the scheme before making any financial or contractual commitments.

Higher rates for some additional salaried GP sessions

The amendments also allow practices to claim a higher hourly reimbursement rate for certain additional GP sessions agreed with existing salaried GPs between 30 April 2026 and 24 June 2026.

Practices that increased salaried GP sessions during this period should therefore review the arrangements to establish whether the enhanced rate may apply.

How much funding is available?

The overall 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:

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

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

For locum GP claims, reimbursement is capped at £78.41 per hour, or £79.84 per hour where London weighting applies.

Additionality remains an important requirement

The scheme is intended to support additional GP capacity and cannot be used to provide double funding.

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

This makes it particularly important for practices to understand the eligibility and additionality rules before agreeing additional sessions or recruiting a new GP.

Do practices need approval?

Practices with more than 3,500 patients per GP must seek NHS England approval before participating in the scheme.

These practices should contact their Integrated Care Board before accessing the funding.

How are claims made?

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

Practices are also required to notify NHS England of any change that may affect their eligibility.

Good record keeping will therefore be important throughout the scheme period.

Practices should retain supporting information including:

  • Employment contracts
  • Records of GP sessions
  • Salary information
  • Employer National Insurance costs
  • Pension costs
  • Locum costs

What should practices do now?

Practices should review their current and planned GP staffing arrangements to establish whether there may be an opportunity to access funding under the updated scheme.

In particular, it may be worth reviewing:

  • Any new salaried GPs employed since 24 February 2026
  • Additional salaried GP sessions
  • Additional locum GP sessions from 1 October 2026
  • Additional salaried GP sessions agreed between 30 April and 24 June 2026
  • Whether all of the practice’s funding entitlement is likely to be used
  • Whether a transfer of funding between practices may be relevant

Eligibility should be confirmed before increasing sessions or committing to additional costs, and practices should ensure that appropriate supporting records are retained.

The rules contain a number of detailed eligibility and reimbursement conditions, so practices should consider how they apply to their individual circumstances.

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.