The GPSoC agreements - three new standard agreements

GP Systems of Choice (GPSoC) introduces three standard agreements which will replace the myriad of different agreements in place with suppliers today. This simplifies and clarifies the contractual arrangements and is in line with the transfer of responsibilities for general practice IM&T provision to PCTs.

The three standard agreements were arrived at through detailed discussion and negotiation with all the GPSoC Framework suppliers, with the PCTs and with GP representatives from the Joint GP IT Committee and chairs of the user groups of the existing GP clinical IT systems.

1. GPSoC Framework Agreement NHS CFH and each GPSoC Framework supplier will need to sign a Framework Agreement (Word 2.2Mb) which contains the bulk of the terms and conditions under GPSoC. The Framework Agreement governs all national requirements for the GPSoC services and includes a Call Off Agreement that enables PCTs to contract with the GPSoC Framework suppliers.

2. GPSoC Call Off Agreement Each PCT and each GPSoC Framework supplier supplying systems to practices in the PCT will need to sign a Call Off Agreement (Word 125Kb) which governs the local arrangements for the delivery of the supplier's GPSoC Compliant system and associated services.

Rather than have separate contracts for each practice, all practices that have a GPSoC Compliant system from a GPSoC Framework supplier will be included in the same Call Off Agreement. Each practice's specific requirements will be detailed in the Call Off Agreement.

3. PCT-Practice Agreement Each practice and PCT will need to sign a PCT-Practice Agreement which has been introduced to protect the practice's right to a choice of system and to ensure that the practice and PCT meet their obligations to each other in respect of the use and delivery of IM&T services.