If a practice is struggling financially, they may be able to apply for additional Section 96 funding.
Section 96 of the NHS Act (2006) (as amended) makes provisions for commissioners to provide assistance and support to primary medical services contractors, including financial support:
Section 96 Assistance and support: primary medical services
(1) The Board may provide assistance or support to any person providing or proposing to provide–
primary medical services pursuant to section 83(2),
primary medical services under a general medical services contract, or
primary medical services in accordance with section 92 arrangements.
(2) Assistance or support provided by the Board under subsection (1) is provided on such terms, including terms as to payment, as the Board considers appropriate.
(3) “Assistance” includes financial assistance.
Section 96 expressly states that NHS England may provide financial assistance, on terms as it considers appropriate. As a result, NHS England has discretion as to the type and level of financial assistance and the payment mechanism that it may choose to employ.
Please discuss with the ICB and/or LMC if you feel your practice requires financial support in line with S96 funding.
For further information: Primary Medical Care Policy & Guidance Manual
