More GP appointments promised under new Northern Ireland contract backed with £40m funding pledge
Monday 09 November 2026
Patients struggling to get a GP appointment have been promised better access under a newly agreed Northern Ireland contract, with an additional £40 million over two years linked to measurable improvements in access and primary care activity.
Health Minister Robbie Butler said the agreement must deliver more appointments and services. GP representatives have also committed to ending their current collective action, according to the Minister.
However, the announcement does not set out how many additional appointments will be provided, when patients should expect improvements or the specific measures practices will be expected to meet.
Funding tied to patient access
The 2026/27 General Medical Services contract agreed between the Department of Health and the Northern Ireland General Practitioners Committee includes a further £17.384 million in funding for the year. Of that, £13.3 million is recurring funding for core GP services.
Separately, the Department has committed an additional £20 million a year for two years to increase capacity, improve access and support changes to community care.
Mr Butler said:
“Difficulties getting an appointment with their GP is one of the issues people raise with me the most, which is why during negotiations I have been very clear that the financial package must deliver more appointments and services for people who need them.”
He said officials would work with GP representatives on how best to use the extra funding to sustain general practice, including its role in the Neighbourhood Health Model.
Changes to practice funding and vaccinations
The £13.3 million recurring investment is intended to address problems with the existing funding formula and distribute money more fairly between practices.
The contract also includes changes to reimbursement arrangements for locum cover and revised childhood vaccination arrangements, with additional incentives for practices to improve uptake.
GP representatives have committed to participating in the Neighbourhood Model of Health and Wellbeing. The Department describes this approach as bringing services together around patients, providing more care in the community and placing greater emphasis on prevention.
Mr Butler said:
“I also welcome NIGPC’s commitment to rebuild a constructive working relationship with the Department and to end the current collective action.”
Agreement must lead to meaningful progress
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Philip McGuigan MLA welcomed the agreement but said it must mark the start of meaningful progress for patients and practices.
He said:
“GPs and their staff are working hard in challenging circumstances, while too many patients continue to experience difficulties accessing appointments and the care they need.
“This agreement is a positive step forward, and it must be the beginning of meaningful progress.”
Mr McGuigan also called for continued constructive engagement between the Department and GP representatives to address pressures on practices and difficulties accessing care.
Three-year programme begins with stabilisation
The 2026/27 contract is the first stage of a three-year programme. Its initial focus is stabilising general practice, with the following two years intended to move towards wider changes and a reformed GP contract.
The Department also pointed to a separate £61 million Transformation Fund investment over five years in the Primary Care Multidisciplinary Team Programme, which supports teams of professionals working in primary care.
For patients, the practical test of the agreement will be whether it becomes easier to secure an appointment and receive care. The funding commitment is now in place; the detailed access targets and timetable for delivering those improvements have yet to be set out in the announcement.
