Arrangements for GPSoC until March 2013

The GPSoC framework will expire in August 2011, however, the GPSoC call off agreements can and do extend beyond the end of the framework agreement and the terms of the framework will persist until the last call off agreement expires.

Each PCT has entered into call off agreements on behalf of practices in their area and a total of approximately 445 call off agreements are in place today.

Most existing GPSoC call off agreements are due to expire by March 2012.

All of the GPSoC stakeholders are very keen to see the GPSoC arrangements retained in the short term so the new arrangements introduced will provide practices with continuity while discussions continue about the future roles and responsibilities for the provision of IT to practices.

NHS CFH is in discussions with suppliers about these new arrangements. Once they are in place:

• Practices will be able to receive services under the GPSoC arrangements until the end of March 2013.
• The multiple local call off agreements will be replaced with six national call off agreements – one with each GPSoC supplier.
• There will continue to be local accountability and ownership under these new arrangements. Each PCT (and potential future successor organisation) will sign up to a schedule that orders systems for practices in their area.
• Practices will still be able to migrate between systems on the GPSoC framework.
• The split between central and local funding will remain as today, with NHS Connecting for Health continuing to fund the software licence fee and hosting charges.
• The six national agreements will make it easier to reflect changes in responsibility as PCTs merge or as practices move to other arrangements over time.

The intention is to sign the new call off agreements during March and April 2011. PCTs will receive details of how to transfer their practices to the new arrangements in advance of expiry of the GPSoC framework in August 2011.

For further information please email the GPSoC team at gpsoc@nhs.net