how are gps funded ?

dada44

is there any way we can find out gps accounts or how they are funded ?

just curioius

Toothsmith

FOI request?

System

Is a GP practice a public sector organisation though?

ETA
To answer my own question, Yes they are classed as public sector organisations so fall within FOI (http://www.oscar-research.co.uk/databases/)

Toothsmith

Yes. You should be able to find out at least how much public money is paid to a particular practice.

unsure

It's very complicated. GP surgeries are essentially each independent small businesses and their funding is made up from several different streams. They are paid according to the number of patients they have (up to a safe point) they are also paid for the work they carry put and specific items of care carry different tariffs. They get income for meeting the requirements of a Quality Outcome Framework (QOF) where the government sets targets they must meet to qualify. In addition, they may undertake other activities such as minor operations which may be done privately, as an NHS provider or under commission from the local Clinical Commissioning Group.

There are smaller income streams like filling in insurance reports, official documents, private prescriptions etc. travel inoculations etc which aren't covered by NHS and which vary from practice to practice.

Some practices (particularly in rural areas) also get paid for dispensing medicines. Some will do private work others won't. Since each practice is an independent business there is a significant degree in flexibility over what hey do and consequently what they earn. There is no simple formula to work it out.

Of course they also have to pay staff costs, buildings, equipment, IT, some of which is recoupable/subsidised from govt. It's only when all of that is taken into account that they know what they've earned which will vary from year to year.
Why would you want to know?

[Deleted User]

The only information I can get out of my gps is along the lines of "take the next right turn" or "take the last exit from the roundabout".