All GP practices are required to provide essential primary and additional services within GMS, PMS or APMS contracts. In addition all GP practices provide a range of Enhanced Services.
Enhanced services, as defined by the GMS Contract are:
The main purpose of enhanced services is to expand a range of local services to meet local need, improve convenience and choice for patients and ensure value for money for the NHS.
Enhanced services are broken down into three areas - Directed, National and Local.
Directed Enhanced Services (DESs) - These are under national direction with national specifications and benchmark pricing which all PCT's must commission from all contractors.
National Enhanced Services (NESs) - These are services commissioned to meet local need to national specifications and benchmark pricing, but not directed. PCTs choose which NESs to provide based on local health need.
Local Enhanced Service (LESs) - These are based on the same principles as the DESs and NESs, but are tailored to the specific needs of the area. The terms and conditions of these will be discussed and agreed locally between NHS Medway and the practices, with the involvement of the Local Medical Committee (LMC).
