Last week, NHSE released the Enhanced Service (ES) Specification for General Practice Requests for Advice and Guidance (A&G) (2025/26).
As the largest provider of A&G in the UK, we have summarised the main points and top tips on how to get your practice off to a good start this month:
Key actions for your practice
- GP practices must sign up by 30 April 2025
- £20 payment for each A&G request (synchronous/asynchronous) by a GP. AHP requests need to be reviewed by a GP prior to submission
- Monthly claims must be submitted via Calculating Quality Reporting Service (CQRS) within 12 days after month-end
- Your ICB may introduce caps – ask them for details of local guidance
A&G results in better first-time right care and place for your patients. Here is what your practice needs to get the most benefits for your patients:
- Fast and reliable access: Systems like Consultant Connect give you immediate advice avoiding any delays or uncertainties about answer times. On average, calls are connected in under 30 seconds, and messages are responded to in under 6 hours
- All elective specialties in one place: Consultant Connect’s A&G setups give you access to all main specialties in one place without the need to remember individual service numbers or operating times. Connect to specialists via phone or messaging and send photos or test results alongside your query.
- Make sure you always get the immediate answer: There may be times when your local specialty teams are not available to answer your queries immediately. That’s why your local hospital can opt-in to be backed up by an out-of-area network of NHS consultants to ensure you receive timely advice for your patients when needed most.
- Governance and data: All activity, including phone calls, are auditable for medico-legal purposes. Your practice managers receive ready-made usage reports for one-click submission each month.
Contact us:
Whether you already use Consultant Connect or not, we’re here to help. If you have any questions or would like to find out more, please email hello@consultantconnect.org.uk or call us on 01865 261 467.
Related materials:
- Can your ICB manage the new Advice & Guidance rules?
- How do consultants manage increased Advice & Guidance workloads?
- “Reforming Elective Care” – your questions answered
- How will “Reforming Elective Care” affect you?
- Customer Area: Primary Care
- Clinical resource for A&G
- Clinical capacity for referrals
- Rich reporting already supports areas to unlock the ERF
