GP contract hailed as means to 'work together'

The new GP contract will fundamentally change the way primary care works and see collaborative schemes yield more resources, delegates were told.Mike Farrar, chief executive of South Yorkshire strategic health authority and the NHS Confederation's lead negotiator in contract talks with the British Medical Association, said: 'The real strength of the new contract is that it allows practices to work together. If a number of practices want to come together, the resources will be available.'Mr Farrar said GPs were uncertain about the contract, but it would look radically different to what was being negotiated with consultants.The BMA's GP committee is looking into how patients could appraise practices, NHS Confederation negotiator Dr Tony Snell told delegates.'We are doing a major piece of work about surveying practices, 'he said.'That will become an integral part of quality payments.'