09/11/2026
Butler Unveils GP Contract And £40m Plan To Improve Patient Access
A fresh agreement on the GP contract, underpinned by a £40m two-year investment, will ultimately improve access to appointments for patients, Health Minister Robbie Butler has announced.
He welcomed the conclusion of negotiations between the Department of Health and the NI General Practitioners Committee (NIGPC), praising GP representatives for their constructive engagement.
The 2026/27 General Medical Services (GMS) contract provides an in-year uplift of £17.384m, including £13.3m of recurrent funding into core GP services. The Department has also committed an additional £20m in each of the next two years to fund measurable improvements in patient access and primary care activity.
Robbie Butler said: "The new contract and additional investment of £20m in each of the next two years is a clear signal of my commitment to General Practice – and to improving access for patients.
"Difficulties getting an appointment with their GP is one of the issues people raise with me the most, which is why during negotiations I have been very clear that the financial package must deliver more appointments and services for people who need them.
"I am therefore pleased the NIGPC has committed to making it easier for patients to access General Practice, and to take part in the Neighbourhood Model of Health and Wellbeing. This is great news because the neighbourhood model brings services together, strengthens care in the community and designs the system around the people who use it.
"I also welcome NIGPC's commitment to rebuild a constructive working relationship with the Department and to end the current collective action.
"My officials will work with NIGPC on how best to use the extra funding to sustain General Practice, including its role in the Neighbourhood Health Model."
Central to the deal is the £13.3m recurring investment aimed at addressing issues within the current funding formula and distributing resources more fairly between practices.
Other elements of the 2026/27 contract include improved reimbursement arrangements for locum cover and revised childhood vaccination arrangements to provide additional incentives for practices to help raise uptake.
The extra £20m per year is intended to boost capacity in General Practice to improve access and to support broader reform towards a neighbourhood health service with a focus on preventative, community-based care.
This is the first year of a three-year programme, with an emphasis on stabilisation in 2026/27 before shifting to transformation in the following two years, aiming to deliver a reformed GMS contract for the future.
The GMS investment forms part of wider primary care funding, including £61m from the Transformation Fund for the Primary Care multidisciplinary team programme over five years.
He welcomed the conclusion of negotiations between the Department of Health and the NI General Practitioners Committee (NIGPC), praising GP representatives for their constructive engagement.
The 2026/27 General Medical Services (GMS) contract provides an in-year uplift of £17.384m, including £13.3m of recurrent funding into core GP services. The Department has also committed an additional £20m in each of the next two years to fund measurable improvements in patient access and primary care activity.
Robbie Butler said: "The new contract and additional investment of £20m in each of the next two years is a clear signal of my commitment to General Practice – and to improving access for patients.
"Difficulties getting an appointment with their GP is one of the issues people raise with me the most, which is why during negotiations I have been very clear that the financial package must deliver more appointments and services for people who need them.
"I also welcome NIGPC's commitment to rebuild a constructive working relationship with the Department and to end the current collective action.
"My officials will work with NIGPC on how best to use the extra funding to sustain General Practice, including its role in the Neighbourhood Health Model."
Central to the deal is the £13.3m recurring investment aimed at addressing issues within the current funding formula and distributing resources more fairly between practices.
Other elements of the 2026/27 contract include improved reimbursement arrangements for locum cover and revised childhood vaccination arrangements to provide additional incentives for practices to help raise uptake.
The extra £20m per year is intended to boost capacity in General Practice to improve access and to support broader reform towards a neighbourhood health service with a focus on preventative, community-based care.
This is the first year of a three-year programme, with an emphasis on stabilisation in 2026/27 before shifting to transformation in the following two years, aiming to deliver a reformed GMS contract for the future.
The GMS investment forms part of wider primary care funding, including £61m from the Transformation Fund for the Primary Care multidisciplinary team programme over five years.
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A fresh agreement on the GP contract, underpinned by a £40m two-year investment, will ultimately improve access to appointments for patients, Health Minister Robbie Butler has announced.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Quite extensive and thick fog to start may be quite slow to clear in the morning. Otherwise a mostly dry day with variable cloud and bright or sunny spells. The odd shower possible for Down and Antrim in the morning. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:It will stay dry through the evening and overnight with variable cloud and some clear spells. Chance of the odd fog patch possible, but much less extensive than Monday morning. Minimum temperature 0 °C.