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Enhanced access

Overview

The enhanced access contract aims to remove variability of access to general practice across England, and improve patients’ understanding of and access to available services.

EA hours are intended to be delivered by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including GPs, nurses and the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) workforce.

The EA contract is part of the Primary Care Network (PCN) contract direct enhanced service (DES).

It was formed by merging two existing GP contracts – improved access (IA), which was held by One Care; and extended hours (EH).

The contract was transferred from One Care to PCNs on 1 October 2022. It is managed by BNSSG ICB primary care contracts team.

One Care provides the following services to PCNs for EA, under the current membership scheme/subscription.

What are the benefits?

PCN activity reporting
Facilitating discussion about contractual issues
Support for operational management of the contract (including rota management and financial provisions)
Communications support via GP bulletin, patient-facing publicity materials, and a EA TeamNet page
Regularly updated FAQs covering queries and contract processes