The Welsh Government will invest more than £41 million into general practice this year as part of a landmark deal agreed with GPs, reinforcing its commitment to strengthen primary care and community-based services.
The agreement includes a 4% uplift to the General Medical Services contract for 2025–26, in line with recommendations from the Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB), and a guaranteed 5.8% recurrent funding uplift from 2026–27.
Following constructive negotiations between the Welsh Government, NHS Wales, and GPC Wales, the package for 2025–26 comprises:
- £37.9m in new investment plus £4m re-invested in additional capacity funding.
- A 1.77% uplift for expenses to help manage rising costs.
- A recurrent £20m allocation to stabilise services and prepare for the next phase of reform.
Welsh Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said:
“This investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to general practice in Wales. The 4% pay uplift ensures fair recognition for GPs and practice staff who work tirelessly to deliver care for communities across our country.
“By providing multi-year funding certainty, we’re enabling practices to plan for the future with confidence and invest in the transformation our primary care services need. This agreement supports our community-by-design programme, which will reshape services around local needs and help deliver more care closer to home.
“I'm grateful to all who have been involved in the discussions for their collaborative approach in reaching this point.”
The deal also increases the partnership premium, supporting the retention of experienced clinicians and making GP partnerships more attractive and sustainable – ensuring continuity of care for patients.
In addition, the Welsh Government will undertake the first comprehensive review in over 20 years of the allocation formula for the GMS contract, ensuring funding reflects modern healthcare needs.
Health leaders say this investment will help stabilise general practice, improve patient access, and lay the groundwork for future service transformation across Wales.
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