PRIMARY CARE CONTRACTING GMS CONTRACT NEGOTIATING TEAM Purpose of the role Variations to the General Medical Services (GMS) contract are negotiated on an annual basis. NHS Employers leads these negotiations with the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) of the BMA on behalf of NHS England operating to a negotiating remit as agreed by NHS England. The negotiations are undertaken by a team of specialist negotiators appointed by NHS Employers and supported by primary care contracting (PCC) team consisting of technical and subject experts. We are currently refreshing the negotiating team and looking to appoint a number of new negotiators that reflect a broad range of experience, expertise and knowledge from across the NHS. Your background will be in either clinical, commissioning or commercial. Required knowledge and expertise As a member of the negotiating team you will have: Negotiating experience which has been gained through experience in senior roles within the NHS or the commercial sector. Negotiation skill ability to demonstrate proficiency in negotiating and the ability to collaborate with others to achieve an agreement. You will be able to develop persuasive arguments to support management position whilst considering and addressing alternative perspectives. Professionalism projecting a confident image with the ability to control personal emotions. Oral communication skills speaking clearly, concisely and persuasively. Able to communicate in a confident and assertive manner, using non-verbal behaviours, such as eye contact, to enhance verbal communications. Analytical ability understanding complex issues and able to draw the correct conclusions. Knowledge knowledge of the key issues under negotiation. Nature and scope of the role of negotiator As a member of the negotiating team you will be required to: Contribute to the development of the negotiating strategy. Work with the PCC team to develop an understanding of the negotiating mandate and key requirements. Build strong relationships with NHS England and the GPC. Attend and participate in formal plenary meetings with the GPC. Communicate and engage with fellow negotiators and the programme team in between plenary meetings.
Comment on the development of the annual negotiating mandate and participate in the development of the annual negotiating strategy. Participate in sub-group work as agreed. Maintain confidentiality always. Indiscretion and lack of good judgement may be detrimental to the potential to reach agreement. Work to the values of NHS Employers (see below). Accountability You will be accountable to the deputy director of employment relations and reward. The NHS Employers team structure is set out below: NHS England Deputy director of employment relations and reward Head of primary care contracting Negotiating team Programme manager (clinical aspects - QOF, V&I) Programme manager (premises and finance) Programme support officer Programme support officer Time commitment The time commitment required of the negotiators will be dependent on the nature of the negotiations. However, NHS Employers estimate the negotiators will be required to be available for around three days per month during the negotiating period. Declarations of interest You will be required to declare any interests that you may have that will impact on your ability to participate in any aspect of this work in a fair and independent manner.
Values NHS Employers is a value based organisation and the organisational values should underpin work that we do and shape how we do it. These are set out below: Assured We use our expertise confidently and authoritatively along with sensitivity and purpose, to support and represent employers - helping them to deliver high-quality and compassionate care for patients. Bold We are agile, dynamic and embrace challenges and change in our daily work. We are prepared to push the boundaries, challenge convention and strive to develop innovative solutions for employers and improve patient care. Leading We take responsibility and ownership for our work and support and motivate others towards a common goal and shared purpose. We lead by example and inspire employers in the NHS to achieve the highest standards of excellence and professionalism. Expert We are driven by our expertise and pride ourselves on excellence. We deliver work to the highest of quality, ensuring we remain credible and respected. We strive to learn new skills, develop our knowledge, keep up-todate with the latest thinking and continuously improve. Respect We value fairness, equality and diversity. We also listen carefully to understand the views of others, fostering a trusting, open and inclusive work environment. In addition, we treat others as we would ourselves want to be treated - giving everyone the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Annual negotiating timetable Stage 1 developing the negotiating remit During this phase of the work the NHS Employers PCC team will work with the NHS England primary care team and appropriate policy leads to broaden the understanding of the items for negotiating and to inform the development of the negotiating strategy. Stage 2 negotiating contractual changes During this phase of the work a series of plenary meetings will be scheduled with GPC to progress the negotiations. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed will be the key principle that will underpin these negotiations. Stage 3 implementing the deal The PCC team at NHS Employers will work with NHS England and GPC to support implementation of the negotiated agreement.
Person Specification Attributes Essential criteria Desirable criteria Demonstrated by Personal qualities Acts with integrity, honesty and respect for others Positively engages with others in planning Projecting a confident image with the ability to control personal emotions Experience Negotiating successful outcomes at a senior level Developing a negotiating strategy in collaboration with stakeholders Involvement in formal negotiating meetings Either clinical (GP), commissioning or commercial experience. Knowledge An understanding of the GMS contract Knowledge of key issues affecting the NHS Skills Ability to demonstrate proficiency in negotiating Ability to collaborate with others to achieve an agreement Ability to develop persuasive arguments to support negotiating position whilst considering and addressing alternative perspectives Experience of chairing negotiating meetings Experience of working in a negotiating team Knowledge of negotiating strategies
Speaking clearly, concisely and persuasively Understanding complex issues and able draw correct conclusions Able to communicate in a confident and assertive manner, using non-verbal behaviours Able to quickly build relationships with key stakeholders