- GP practices in some of England’s most deprived areas could miss out on funding
- Details published 24 hours before scheme comes into effect
The Association of Independent Specialist Medical Accountants (AISMA) has warned that GP practices operating in some of England’s most deprived areas could miss out on funding through the GP reimbursement scheme.
The details of the scheme were released in the updated Statement of Financial Entitlements published today, Thursday 30 April, the day before the scheme comes into effect.
Andy Pow, adviser to the AISMA board, said: ‘Reimbursement is going to be linked solely to employing additional salaried GP sessions, which means that reimbursement for additional work performed by partners or locums will not be covered.
‘This will impact smaller practices, rural and coastal practices which already have difficulty recruiting additional GP staff due to their location or size. We could see some of our most deprived communities missing out on funding for more doctors.’
Mr Pow went on to point out that the scheme is not guaranteed beyond 31 March 2027. ‘This means practices need to take care when agreeing employment contracts to make sure they can be re-structured if funding ceases,’ he said.
Reimbursement claims must be made via the CQRS system within a three-month window which Mr Pow says will increase administrative workload and also risk non-payment if the window is missed.
He added: ‘This is part of an increasing trend to narrow the time frame for claiming income which puts an increased risk on practices. Cashflow will also need to be managed since claims can only be made in arrears.’
Mr Pow continued: ‘Many practices and PCNs used Capacity and Access funding which has now ceased. There is no transitional support to wind down previously funded activity. This leaves practices and PCNs at risk of carrying the burden of unfunded costs.’
ENDS