We wanted to highlight a matter in relation to payments to PCNs based on their adjusted
population. A number of PCNs had contacted the LMC and ICB in relation to these payments since, even when adjusted for the 2025/26 uplifts, their payments were lower than expected.
NHS England has identified two errors
- The original calculations particularly affected PCNs in which practice mergers had occurred.
- New patient registrations in September 2024 only were excluded.
The second error will have particularly affected PCNs which include practices who normally register students at the start of the academic year.
NHS England have now recalculated these PCN adjusted population numbers and will use
these in forthcoming payments from June inclusive.
This means for the following PCN payments, which are based on adjusted population: Core PCN funding, Enhanced Access Payments, PCN Capacity and Access Support Payments (CASP) and Capacity and Access Incentive Payments (CAIP) – where claimed as follows:
- Most PCNs will see such payments increase by small amounts.
- PCNs including practices which merged may see a small reduction in payments
- PCNs including practices which tend to see an influx of student registrations in
September will see an increase in payments
One corollary of this is that the number of Enhanced Access minutes which are used to
calculate expected Enhanced Access appointments are related to adjusted population size; ICBs will need to discuss and agree with PCNs on how to make such an adjustment going forward; please contact the LMC if PCNs encounter any difficulties in these discussions.
NHS England has recommended ICBs make good the underpayment related to April and May 2025. The LMC has written to ICBs to request this calculation is undertaken and payment made subsequently.