NHS CFH has signed a Framework Agreement with each GPSoC Framework supplier. PCTs have also signed Call Off Agreements with the GPSoC Framework suppliers in their area who are GPSoC Level 2 compliant.

It is the combination of the terms and conditions in the Framework Agreement and the Call Off Agreement that govern the arrangements with the GPSoC Framework supplier.

As part of the process of signing up to a GPSoC Call Off Agreement, all existing contracts relating to the current provision of the GPSoC compliant system to a practice will need to be terminated and the practice needs to sign a PCT-Practice Agreement with the PCT.

Background and guidance

Each GPSoC practice and PCT will need to sign a PCT-Practice Agreement (Word 483Kb). This agreement 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. It also details the dispute resolution arrangements.

The PCT-Practice Agreement has been approved by GPC, the SHAs and the GP IT system User Group chairs. The BMA's General Practitioners Committee has written a letter to all LMCs advising them of their commitment to the GPSoC process and requesting that LMCs communicate this to all practices.

PCT-Practice Agreement Guidance (PDF 60Kb) explains the rationale behind each part of the agreement and sets out what the practice and PCT need to do to implement the Agreement.

Ideally the PCT-Practice Agreement should be signed soon after a practice has been entered into a Call Off Agreement in order to make sure that all parties can be held to their responsibilities under the agreement. However we recognise that PCTs and practices will need to take the time to develop and agree on the local aspects of the agreement.

Examples

These are intended to provide examples of the agreements that PCTs have negotiated locally. They are not endorsed by NHS CFH and it is for PCTs and local practices to agree what best suits their particular circumstances.

Example 1 - West Herts PCT (PDF 86Kb)

Example 2 - Bromley PCT (PDF 57Kb)

Example 3 - Devon PCT (PDF 72Kb)

Example 4 - Swindon PCT (PDF 59Kb)

FAQs

This section contains the most commonly asked questions and answers on the PCT-Practice Agreement.

Case study

This Liverpool PCT case study (PDF 1Mb) shows the process they followed to put PCT-Practice Agreements in place.

PCT Progress

99% of eligible GPSoC practices have signed a PCT-Practice Agreement and recorded it as such on the Tracking Database.