Government has launched a six-month review of the model used for allocating GP funding

The Government has launched a six-month review of the model used for allocating GP funding.

The Carr Hill formula, which was initially introduced in 2004, has been widely criticised for not considering deprivation factors, as it focused more on factors influencing patient needs and costs.

The review, launching today (9 October), will look to identify a new funding formula, assess the impact and feasibility of implementing it, as well as ensuring it aligns with the NHS 10-year plan.

Whilst this is welcomed any such reform will need to come with additional funding and will require a concerted effort across government and the GP profession to ensure that some areas don’t lose out as cash is redistributed.

The review should look at the range of funding sources going into general practice, how this money is best used, and the extra investment needed to avoid patients in some areas losing out. Making this happen will depend on additional funding going into general practice and not removing it from one area to another or relying on savings from hospitals which may never materialise.

This is not the first time that general practice funding has been reviewed – the real test for government is whether they follow it up with the policy change and investment needed in response. This is something they have too often not done in recent years.

William Greenwood

Chief Executive and Company Secretary