Investment in General Practice, Northern Ireland 2021-22 to 2025-26
Date published:2 October 2026
The Department of Health today published figures for Investment in General Practice, Northern Ireland 2021-22 to 2025-26
This is the seventh time that investment in general practice, including the reimbursement for drugs dispensed in general practices in Northern Ireland, has been published by the Department of Health. Previously, country level information from all 4 UK countries was published by NHS Digital#. However, changes to general practice contractual arrangements in each country over recent years mean the data are no longer comparable. As a result, the UK series has been discontinued.
Key Points:
In 2025-26, the total investment in general practice, including the reimbursement of drugs dispensed in general practice, was £435.055m. Compared to 2024-25, this represents an increase in the total investment in GP practices of 5.55 per cent in Northern Ireland. In real terms this equates to an increase of 2.04 per cent. General practice played a key role in the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, this is reflected in higher levels of investment during that period including the financial year 2021/22.
In 2025-26, in response to the recommendation in the report of the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB), a 4.0% uplift was applied for GP pay. In addition, 4.0% uplift for practice staff expenses and a 4.1% uplift for other expenses were also applied. This represents an investment of £11.717m
# NHS Digital legally merged with NHS England on 1 February 2023. All references to NHS Digital now, or in the future, relate to NHS England. NHS England has assumed responsibility for all activities previously undertaken by NHS Digital
Notes to editors:
- The report is published by the Department of Health (NI) via the Statistics Section of the website at: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/articles/investment-general-practice
- The source of the data is the Financial Information Monitoring System (FIMS) held and maintained by the Strategic Planning & Performance Group (SPPG) of the DoH and the Pharmacy Payments System maintained by the Business Services Organisation (BSO).
- General practice played a key role in the response to the Covid-19 pandemic during 2020/21 and 2021/22. This is reflected in higher levels of investment during that period.
- For statistical or data queries, please contact Information & Analysis Directorate at qofdataenquiries@health-ni.gov.uk
- For policy queries, please contact Primary Care Unit, Primary Care Directorate at gmsenquiries@health-ni.gov.uk
- For media enquiries please contact DoH Press Office by e-mail: pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk
- Follow us on:Facebook Department of Health NI,Instagram departmentofhealthni X @healthdpt,LinkedIn Department of Health NI
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800 hrs and 0800 hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
