Digital tools funding 2025/26

As part of the primary care access recovery plan (PCARP) for 2024/25, integrated care boards (ICBs) received:

• non recurrent funding to support transition cover
• reimbursement to support the uptake of highly usable and accessible digital tools

This funding is not available separately in 2025/26 and the PCARP funding stream has now ended. ICBs are expected to fund highly usable and accessible digital tools from their core allocations. In order to do this, ICBs must prioritise within those allocations. This includes:

• online consultation tools
• appointment booking
• messaging
• demand and capacity tools

The above is a requirement of:

• the operational planning process
• the GP contract
• the GP IT operating model

In the absence of formal procurement routes, such as frameworks, ICBs must continue to engage with NHS England national commercial and procurement hub to support buying activities that follow the established process set out in this Guidance and next steps for 2025/26.

ICBs are expected to ensure the procured digital tools:

• meet patient and staff needs
• align to national standards

They should refer to the guidance via FutureNHS. A login is required for access. The guidance will help them to:

• enhance process changes
• deliver benefits in a safer, fairer, more sustainable model of general practice
• support the transformation

The full service development funding guidance for 2025/26 can be found at Primary care service development funding and general practice IT funding guidance 2025/26.