Welsh dispensing motions passed at LMC conference

A composite of three motions relating to dispensing has been partially passed by the Welsh LMC conference on Saturday 7 March.

The accepted motions, proposed by DDA Welsh chair Dr Fiona Porter, asked conference to recognise the essential role of dispensing GP practices in sustaining rural primary care across Wales. It continues: "[Conference] recognises the commitment from the tripartite contract negotiations to continue the dispensing reform working group and produce recommendations to inform the 2027-28 contract negotiations.

It calls on GPC Wales and the Welsh Government to:
i. provide a short-term emergency stabilisation payment to dispensing GP practices to protect rural services while longer-term reform of the dispensing contract is negotiated
ii. ensure that the damaging clawback process is stopped as part of the dispensing contract reform
iii. ensure that dispensing GP practices can benefit from 56-day prescribing without financial detriment

A fourth part was taken as a a reference. This read: strengthen the formal representation of dispensing GP practices within GPC Wales by establishing a designated voting dispensing representative seat within GPC Wales.

The composite motion took into account dispensing motions proposed by Bro Taf, Gwent and North Wales LMCs.

GPC Wales used the platform of the Welsh LMC conference to reaffirm support for modernising the dispensing contract in Wales.

Speaking to the conference, GPCW Chair Dr Gareth Oelmann, said that the goal is a contract that assured the viability of dispensing practice in Wales in the long term.

In his speech Dr Oelmann also highlighted achievements such as a partnership premium uplift of 10.5%, ensuring partners are properly rewarded for leading their practices and commitment from the Welsh Government to scope a review of the Global Sum Allocation Formula, unchanged since 2004, to ensure fairer distribution of resources.

During the conference, Dr Oelmann also reviewed the key features of the 2025/26 GMS contract:

£41.9 million of recurrent investment into general practice, backdated to April 2025
A full DDRB matching 4% pay uplift for GP partners, salaried GPs, and practice staff, plus, an expenses uplift to help practices manage unavoidable rising costs
Crucially, there was also a guaranteed recurrent ringfenced uplift of 5.8% for 2026/27, around £30 million – separate and additional to any pay awards - giving practices stability and certainty ahead of the forthcoming Senedd elections.

He said GPCW priorities for 2026 were:

A workforce strategy that moves from rhetoric to reality
A fair funding model, both in quantum and allocation. A model that truly reflects the weight of complexity, demand, and the rising cost of modern care
The creation of a collaborative service‑delivery arm that strengthens General Medical Services.

Hear more about dispensing in Wales in the DDA podcast in conversation with Dr Fiona Porter

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