New GP contract changes ‘will incentivise care improvements’

The government has outlined new changes to GP contracts that are aimed at incentivising better care for patients with long-term conditions such as dementia.

Under the new plans, GPs will be rewarded for steps which directly support and benefit patients, rather than routine office functions such as record-keeping.

For example, it means that doctors will be encouraged to implement measures that provide better control of blood pressure and cholesterol to prevent heart attacks and stroke, as well as assessing patients at risk from dementia.

The changes will mean that 1.5 million more patients will get better care in 2013-14, while 164 million pounds will be redirected from rewarding box-ticking exercises towards actions that will directly benefit patients.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "Our proposals will make sure we support the patients most in need and will help save lives in practices across the country. We believe GPs can and will rise to these new challenges."

Earlier this month, the government announced that it will be introducing new measures that will compel NHS organisations to admit patient safety failures when they occur, thus improving transparency.