Background

GEN2 changes outlined below are part of the evolution of the existing GPIT Futures framework Capabilities and Standards Model into a new format. The intention of the new format is to provide a more flexible requirements model that reduces barriers to innovation as Suppliers can build iteratively to meet user needs. 

NHS Digital's goal is to have a restructured GPIT Futures Capability and Standards Model that confirms the below principles:

1. A more permissible model with minimum number of Must Epics in each Capability to cover:
   1. Scope of Capability generally (may be more than 1, but keeping to a minimum), basic rules are:
   2. Serious Clinical Safety implications if not a MUST and there isn’t a safe alternative
   3. Covers Legal Requirements for Practices
   4. Supports the practice meeting their obligations under the GP Contract
   5. Any mandated national Interoperability Standards mapped to that Capability
   6. To cover any other Standards that map specifically to that Capability e.g. Management Information Reporting Standard or eMED3 Standard (this does not include Overarching Standards)
2. Majority of existing MUST Epics will change to be MAYs and new MAY Epics will be added in some cases to replace requirements from within Capability Specific Standards
3. This allows the Supplier to choose which MAY EPICs to implement and evidence. We expect the Suppliers to recognise the need to provide a comprehensive product based on their user feedback and their desire to be competitive against other solutions
4. Mandatory Overarching Standards will remain, covering; Information Governance, Clinical Safety and Data Standards (e.g. SNOMED) and must be met by Suppliers
5. A number of Standards are planned to be removed as part of the GEN2 transition, including Capability Specific Standards (e.g. Prescribing - Standard) once the requirements within have been reviewed and one of the following actions taken: 
   1. Requirement is removed and re-written as part of the Epics and Acceptance Criteria within the associated Capability (i.e. as a completely new Epic or as amendments to an existing Epic)
   2. Requirement is removed and the important details added as Additional Implementation Details against an Epic within the associated Capability
   3. Requirement is removed and the important details added as Supporting Information against an Epic within the associated Capability (this could be directly against the Epic or on a Reference Page referenced from the Supporting Information against the Epic)
   4. Requirement is removed entirely (i.e. because it is a duplicate requirement and doesn’t specify anything that isn’t already covered by an Epic or it is deemed non-essential and too low level for the Epics)
   5. Requirement is moved into another Standard

Outline Plan

The uplifts to the 6 Capabilities and retiring of the Standards outlined in the Summary of Change are currently aligned with the Tech. Innovation Framework's indicative timeline however the uplifts can be made independently of the Framework should timescales change.

The Tech Innovation Framework's Market Engagement commenced on 26 Jan 2022 which included Draft versions of the GEN2 Foundation Capabilities. The expectation is that the Capabilities will be made effective in March 2022. 

Summary of Change

Prescribing

• Update Prescribing Capability to version 1.0.2

• Retire Prescribing - Standard

• Retire Common Reporting Standard

Patient Information Maintenance

• Update Patient Information Maintenance Capability to version 1.0.2 and add ‘GP’ to the title

• Retire Patient Information Maintenance - Standard

• Publish uplifted Citizen Services Implementation Guidance

Recording Consultations

• Update Recording Capability to version 1.0.2 and add ‘GP’ to the title

• Retire Recording Capability- Standard

Referral Management - GP

• Update Referral Management to version 1.0.2

• Retire Referral Management - Standard

Resource Management

• Update Resource Management to version 1.0.2

• Retire Resource Management - Standard

Appointments Management - GP

• Update Appointments Management to version 1.0.2

• Retire Appointments Management - GP - Standard

Full Specification

Uplift to New Draft GEN2 Foundation Capabilities: 

• Appointments Management - GP
• Patient Information Maintenance - GP
• Prescribing
• Recording Consultations - GP
• Referral Management - GP
• Resource Management

Please note, the scope of the Capabilities have not increased as a result of the changes made. 

Uplift to New Draft Supporting Reference Pages: 

• Citizen Services Implementation Guidance
• Practice Reporting Implementation Guidance

Standards to be retired: 

• Prescribing - Standard v1.1.0
• Common Reporting v2.0.0
• Patient Information Maintenance - Standard v.1.1.1
• Appointments Management - GP - Standard
• Recording Consultations - Standard v1.0.1
• Referral Management - Standard v1.0.1
• Resource Management - Standard v1.0.1
• Appointments Management - GP - Standard

Assurance Approach

New GEN2 Capabilities 

For existing GPITF Suppliers: 

• The results of previous Capability Assessments will be carried over from GEN1 to GEN2 for Epics and Acceptance Criteria that have not changed 
• For new Epics or Epics that have been amended as a result of the Capability Specific Standard being retired, the results of previous assurance will be carried over and no further evidence or assurance will be required  

For New Suppliers: 

• These Epics will be assessed as part of the Capability Assessment phase and this will be a high level assessment based on the Acceptance Criteria defined

• These Epics are not intended to replace the full assurance process for any related Standards (e.g. assessing the Epic does not negate the need for the Interoperability Standard to be fully assured by the appropriate team)

Retired Standards 

For existing GPITF Suppliers: 

• No further assurance is required, the results from requirements contained in the Capability Specific Standards will be carried over to the relevant GEN2 Capability 

For New Suppliers: 

• No assurance is required.