NHS Standard Contract 2021/22: Proposed new arrangements for paying for low-volume activity flows

Overview

The NHS Standard Contract is published by NHS England and is mandated, under Standing Rules regulations, for use by NHS commissioners to contract for all healthcare services other than primary care services.  

NHS England is now consulting on significant changes to the Contract, to take effect from 1 April 2021, to the arrangements for contracting and paying for low-volume flows of activity between CCGs and NHS Trusts / NHS Foundation Trusts.

There will be, as usual, a further consultation during the winter on other changes to the NHS Standard Contract for 2021/22.

Why we are consulting

We are consulting on significant changes, to take effect from 1 April 2021, to the arrangements for contracting and paying for low-volume flows of activity between CCGs and NHS Trusts / NHS Foundation Trusts. These changes are only applicable to the full length Contract and largely, but not solely, affect what is known as “non-contract activity”.  

The consultation paper and supporting documentation are available on the NHS Standard Contract 2021/22 web page.

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