Jessica O'ConnorThe BMA’s General Practitioners Committee (GPC) Wales has reached an agreement with the Welsh Government and NHS Wales on the General Medical Services (GMS) contract, following extensive negotiations.
The deal, announced today, 12th December, covers the 2025–26 financial year and elements of 2026–27.
The agreement, unanimously backed by committee members, includes £41.9m of investment for 2025–26, backdated to April 2025.
This funding delivers a full 4% pay uplift for GP partners, salaried GPs and practice staff, alongside an expenses uplift designed to help practices manage rising operating costs and maintain employment stability.
Looking ahead, the settlement also includes a recurrent 5.8% uplift to the contract for 2026–27, worth around £30m.
The funding is intended to support additional workforce capacity, service transformation and increased administrative support, enabling GP practices to play a central role in NHS Wales’ transformation agenda.
Further work will continue into 2026–27 and beyond, including commitments on the role of GPs within the ‘Community by Design’ programme and scoping a long-awaited review of the global sum funding allocation formula.
The agreement does not rule out additional investment following consideration of the DDRB’s recommendations for 2026.
Dr Gareth Oelmann, chair of GPC Wales, said: “After extensive negotiations, we are pleased to have reached an improved and credible settlement. This agreement begins to address the significant pressures facing surgeries and recognises the hard work and dedication of GPs across Wales.
“We hope this settlement brings stability to practices for this current year and provides some certainty ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections. We believe it helps ensure a sustainable future for doctors and practice staff who work tirelessly to care for their communities.
“Although we aimed to reach an agreement sooner, we hope colleagues understand the delay. Throughout negotiations, we highlighted the significant financial challenges facing general practice in order to secure a better settlement. This agreement ensures proper investment in the contract for the next financial year.
“This deal is a positive step towards restoring years of underinvestment. Through our Save Our Surgeries campaign, we remain committed to securing a greater proportion of NHS investment for general practice. This will improve services and expand the GP workforce, which is urgently needed in Wales.”
