New contracts introduced for family doctors

All but two of 19 doctors’ surgeries have signed up to the new agreement, which will see them all receive £91 per patient on top of funding from the government.

Historically, doctors received varying amounts, and concerns are believed to have been raised about some losing out in the new deal.

But Dr Tony Naughton, clinical chief officer for Fylde and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Group, which has developed the new contracts, said: “This will make sure general practice services are of the right quality and, as a CCG, we can now specify the care we expect from practices.

“In the face of national cuts to primary care, this contract will make sure that general practice is financially stable over the next few years.

“Previously, the amount of money being received by practices was not equal across Fylde and Wyre, but by developing the GP Quality Contract we can guarantee the same services will be available across all practices.”

Dr Naughton, who works as a GP in Thornton, added: “This will make sure as many people will be treated in the community, rather than having to go into hospital care.

“This is all part of the bigger strategy that people get consistent levels of care wherever they go in Fylde and Wyre.”

The CCG would not say which two practices have not signed up to the new contract, although a spokesman said negotiations are ongoing.

They will still receive funding from the government, but not the ‘top-up’ funding the GP Quality Contract would provide.

The CCG, which buys healthcare and services for 152,000 people, took control of commissioning GP contracts and services last year.