Collection

NHS primary medical service directions

This collection brings together directions for the National Health Service primary medical services, setting out part of the legal framework under which GP practices operate and are paid.

• From: Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 31 March 2023
• Last updated: 9 May 2024 — See all updates

As well as being a useful resource for commissioners and GP practices, these directions may be of interest to patients who wish to understand the legal obligations of NHS England and GP practices to their patients.

The regulations that these directions relate to can be found on legislation.gov.uk, including:

• The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations 2015
• The National Health Service (Personal Medical Services Agreements) Regulations 2015

Current directions

• NHS (General Medical Services - Premises Costs) Directions
  • 9 May 2024
  • Statutory guidance
• General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements Directions
  • 30 September 2024
  • Statutory guidance
• Primary Medical Services (Directed Enhanced Services) Directions
  • 30 September 2024
  • Statutory guidance
• Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) Directions
  • 24 May 2024
  • Statutory guidance
• NHS Litigation Authority (Primary Medical Services - General Practice Systems of Choice - CCG Practice Agreement - Dispute Resolution) Directions
  • 25 March 2015
  • Statutory guidance
• Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information (GMS, PMS and APMS) Directions
  • 9 April 2013
  • Statutory guidance
• NHS Commissioning Board (Primary Medical Services) (Assignment of Patients) Directions
  • 9 April 2013
  • Statutory guidance
• Personal Medical Services Agreements (Payments for Specific Purposes) Directions
  • 9 April 2013
  • Statutory guidance
• Primary Medical Services (Patient Choice Scheme) Directions
  • 9 April 2013
  • Statutory guidance

No longer in force and previous directions

• NHS (General Medical Services - Premises Costs) Directions: previous directions
  • 9 May 2024
  • Statutory guidance
• General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements Directions: previous directions
  • 28 March 2024
  • Statutory guidance
• Primary Medical Services (Directed Enhanced Services) Directions: no longer in force
  • 28 March 2024
  • Statutory guidance
• Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) Directions: previous directions
  • 26 April 2022
  • Statutory guidance

Published 31 March 2023
Last updated 9 May 2024 + show all updates

1. 9 May 2024

   Added 'NHS (General Medical Services - Premises Costs) Directions: previous directions' to the 'No longer in force and previous directions' section.

2. 28 March 2024

   The following publications have been updated for 2024: 'The General Medical Services Statement of Financial Entitlements Directions'; 'The Primary Medical Services (Directed Enhanced Services) Directions'.

3. 31 March 2023

   First published.