September 28, 2026
Article
Following the close of NHS England’s consultation, practices should start considering how the proposed neighbourhood contracting models could affect future funding, service delivery and local collaboration.
The proposals do not change core GP contracts, but they could influence how practices, PCNs and local partners work together in the years ahead.
NHS England’s consultation on new neighbourhood contracting models closed on 10 September 2026. While the next steps are still awaited, the proposals give an important indication of how local health and care services may be organised in future. At their heart is a clear ambition: to support more joined-up care, delivered closer to patients, with services built around local communities rather than traditional organisational boundaries.
The consultation focused on two potential new contract types: the Single Neighbourhood Provider (SNP) contract and the Multi-Neighbourhood Provider (MNP) contract. A neighbourhood would typically cover a population of around 50,000 people, although local areas would have flexibility to agree what works best for their communities. In broad terms, an SNP contract would cover one neighbourhood, while an MNP contract could cover several neighbourhoods and coordinate services across a wider area.
For GP practices, the most important point is that the consultation did not propose changes to core GMS, PMS or APMS contracts. However, that does not mean the proposals can be ignored. If taken forward, they could influence how enhanced services, current PCN arrangements and other locally commissioned services evolve over time. The SNP model has been described as building on PCNs, rather than acting as an immediate replacement for them, but practices will want to understand how this might work in their own local area.
Local commissioners may have a range of options available to them. Some areas may continue with existing PCN DES arrangements, possibly with local variations. Others may explore an SNP contract for a single neighbourhood, or an MNP contract to bring together services across several neighbourhoods. The consultation suggests that a PCN DES and an SNP contract would not normally be expected to operate for the same population at the same time, so practices should keep a close eye on how local systems interpret and develop the proposals.
There is potential for the changes to be positive if they are designed and implemented well. Neighbourhood contracts could help general practice, community services, mental health, social care, local authorities and voluntary sector partners work more closely around shared local priorities. This could support earlier intervention, reduce duplication and make better use of available funding. For patients, the aim is a simpler and more coordinated experience. For practices, there may be an opportunity to help shape local services and strengthen the role of integrated neighbourhood teams.
There are, however, important questions still to be answered. Practices will want clarity on whether funding will genuinely move into community and primary care settings, how financial and operational risks will be shared, and how GP leadership will be protected within larger provider models. There are also practical, legal and tax issues to work through, including governance, workload, subcontracting, employment responsibilities, VAT and the interaction with existing PCN structures.
Now that the consultation period has closed, the immediate priority for practices and PCN leaders is to stay engaged. This is a good time to review current PCN arrangements, consider where practices add most value within local neighbourhood working, and make sure general practice has a strong voice in local discussions.
If you would like to discuss what the proposals could mean for your practice or PCN, please get in touch with a member of the team