GP Practice Reimbursement Scheme 2026-27

The GP Practice Reimbursement Scheme lets practices claim funding for certain salaried GP roles after CAIP payments ended, based on adjusted population and CQRS deadlines.

What practices need to know

This page summarises the GP Practice Reimbursement Scheme for 2026 to 2027, which replaces Capacity and Access Improvement (CAIP) funding and allows practices to claim for salaried GP workforce costs in specific situations.

Key points at a glance

  • Funding has moved from PCN CAIP payments into the core GP contract
  • Only salaried GPs are included, not partners
  • Each practice has a set funding allocation based on adjusted population
  • Claims must be submitted via CQRS within 3 months
  • The scheme is confirmed for 2026 to 2027 only, future years are unclear

What should you do now?

  • Review whether you meet eligibility criteria
  • Discuss options within your PCN (especially for transfers)
  • Identify any roles previously funded via CAIP
  • Estimate your available funding
  • Submit claims early via CQRS

Each practice receives an allocation based on:

  • £4.57 per patient
  • Using adjusted population (not raw or Carr-Hill list size)

This is the same population basis used for most PCN funding.

You can claim for three types of salaried GP activity:

  1. New salaried GP
    • Must not have worked for your practice in the last 12 months
    • Exceptions apply for maternity, sickness cover or returning retirees
  2. Increased sessions for an existing salaried GP
    • Must currently be working less than 9 sessions
    • Cannot exceed 9 sessions after increase
  3. Continuation of CAP-funded GP roles
    • Applies where CAP funding has ended (March 2026)
    • May involve working across the PCN
  1. New or continuing roles (categories 1 and 3): Up to £152,900 per GP (£155,698 with London weighting)
  2. Sessional increases (category 2): Up to £90.61 per hour (£92.72 with London weighting)
  3. These figures include:
    • Salary
    • Employer National Insurance
    • Pension contributions
  4. If your costs are lower, you should only claim the actual amount.
  • The scheme does not cover GP partners
  • You cannot claim if funding is already being received for that GP
  • The role cannot be used to cover an absent partner
  • Standard SFE arrangements still apply for sickness or parental leave

If your practice has more than 3500 patients per GP, you will need NHS England approval to take part. The approval process is currently unclear, contact the LMC if this affects you.

Yes.

Practices can transfer some or all of their allocation to another practice within the same PCN to support GP employment.

This may be particularly relevant for:

  • Continuing CAP-funded roles
  • PCN-wide workforce planning

If you are considering this, discuss this at PCN level early, particularly where CAP-funded roles are affected.

  • Claims must be submitted via CQRS
  • Deadline is within 3 months of the claim month
  • In practice, it’s best to submit as early as possible

Practical advice from the LMC

This is a new scheme and, understandably, many practices are finding it complex. A few points to keep in mind:

  • This is currently the only route to recover former CAIP funding
  • It is worth reviewing whether your practice or PCN can meet the criteria
  • Early conversations within your PCN may help maximise use of funding
  • If you receive unclear or inconsistent advice, let us know so we can support and escalate where needed

Need help?

If you are unsure whether your practice is eligible, or if you are struggling with interpretation or local implementation, contact your ICB in the first instance, but please get in touch with the LMC if advice is unclear or inconsistent.

Final thought

While the scheme adds complexity, it is effectively recycled funding from CAIP. If there is a route for your practice or PCN to access it, it is worth exploring.

Further information

Full SFE directions: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/general-medical-services-statement-of-financial-entitlements-directions