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Global sum formula review - report and consultation

September 2007

When the new General Medical Services (GMS) contract was introduced, the Department of Health, the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) and the NHS Confederation gave a commitment to review the global sum (Carr-Hill) allocation formula in light of the developing contract.

The subsequent review used a detailed examination of the current global sum formula to evaluate the status quo. It also investigated a number of additional factors for possible inclusion in a revised formula, taking into account new data and stakeholder feedback on the current allocation of funding.

The finished report 'Review of the General Medical Services global sum formula' (February 2007) makes recommendations as to how the formula could be improved in the future.

The review was put out for consultation between February and May. The results of this consultation have now been summarised and will help inform any further discussions between the negotiating parties.

The main report can be found online at www.nhsemployers.org/primary/primary-2471.cfm

A GPC FAQ document, prepared for the stakeholder consultation, provides important contextual information and should be read in conjunction with the main report.

A report summarising the results of the consultation can be downloaded as a PDF here.

A question and answer document on these consultation results can be downloaded as a PDF here.

The BMA and NHS Employers have issued a press release entitled 'NHS Employers and BMA publish findings of GMS formula consultation.