Morning, Monday, 12th January 2026
Online
This conference will examine the future for general practice and primary care in England, in the context of the 10-Year Health Plan and the move towards a Neighbourhood Health Service.
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss practical considerations and implications of ambitions in the Plan for GP services and care.
Community & access
Areas for discussion include what is needed to enable provision of care closer to home, consistent access to the same clinicians where appropriate, and making GP services easier to engage with and use. Attendees will consider the coordination of multiple services within neighbourhood health centres, and the integration of community services with primary care, including the role of primary care in the WorkWell initiative, as well as proposals to reform the current fit note system.
The future of community pharmacy will also be discussed alongside key considerations for establishing a single national formulary.
Workforce
The planned agenda includes a focus on workforce issues, including implications of the expanded Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, regional variation in recruitment and retention, and the relationship between workforce strategy and local capacity. Attendees will also consider the use of physician associates in general practice following the conclusion of the Leng Review.
Discussion is expected on the scope of practice, team integration, and next steps for implementation including oversight by a named doctor, initial deployment in secondary care, renaming the role to physician assistant, and implications for patient safety, training, and regulation.
Contracts & funding
Delegates will assess the role of the two new GP contract types in the development of neighbourhood health providers, alongside implementation priorities and the responsibilities of ICBs. Discussion will also examine the 2025/26 contract, local accountability, and wider organisational and funding issues, including Spending Review commitments to NHS staffing, digital infrastructure, and primary care delivery.
Further sessions will examine the Government's ambition to revive the family doctor model, including practicalities for delivering continuity of care, expanding GP training places, and supporting ongoing professional development. Attendees will consider how funding mechanisms such as the Carr-Hill allocation formula and the Quality and Outcomes Framework reflect health needs across different communities, with discussion on concerns relating to distribution and the case for alternative approaches.
Digital priorities
Delegates will also assess how digital transformation can support improved access and coordination, including 24/7 booking through the NHS App, the development of a single patient record, and system-wide interoperability.
Overview of areas for discussion
- policy:
- the Spending Review - 10-Year Health Plan - expectations for neighbourhood-level care - key issues for local delivery
- roles and responsibilities for ICBs and general practice - embedding accountability at neighbourhood and system level
- neighbourhood health service:
- establishing new neighbourhood health centres - integrating health and neighbourhood services - the role of primary care in the WorkWell initiative
- coordination of multiple services within neighbourhood centres - integration of community services with primary care - reform of the fit note system
- GP contract:
- alignment of the current 25/26 GP contract with national policy aims - new neighbourhood GP contract types
- responsibilities for access and continuity - general practice funding - links between contract terms and system-wide objectives - phased rollout of new contracts from 2026
- workforce:
- the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme - the current skill mix and local requirements - recruitment and retention
- incorporation of new roles into practice teams - regional variation - workforce strategy and local capacity
- physician associates:
- the Leng Review - scope of practice and supervision - safety and accountability - implications for team dynamics - named doctor oversight
- initial deployment in secondary care - renaming the role to physician assistant - training and regulation
- primary care funding:
- assessing potential alternatives to the Carr-Hill formula and population health needs - contribution of Quality and Outcomes Framework to quality goals
- priorities for fairness and consistency in funding across areas - alignment with patterns of demand - concerns about higher payments in more affluent areas
- infrastructure investment:
- outcomes from recent capital projects - priorities for upgrading and expanding premises - space, capacity, and service models - estate development and joined-up care
- digital access and systems:
- expansion of the NHS app - adopting AI scribes at scale - contribution to improving access - factors for patient uptake - support for continuity and flexibility
- establishing a single patient record - platform interoperability across systems - access to appointment booking and non-urgent advice - procurement framework for ambient AI technology
- community pharmacy:
- potential roles in front-line care - scope for expanding clinical services - coordination with general practice
- variation in delivery and expectations across areas - establishing a single national formulary - standardising prescribing practices
