Flex GP, GP recruitment, PCN, GP surgery, GP staffing

Flex GP: A Low-Risk, High-Continuity Way to Secure the Right Salaried GP

For Practice Managers, PCN Directors and GP Partners, balancing GP staffing, continuity of care and tight budgets is increasingly challenging. Flex GP, delivered by GP Connect, offers a structured 12‑month model that reduces recruitment risk, controls costs and helps you secure the right salaried GP for your Primary Care Network or GP surgery.

What Is Flex GP?

Flex GP is a 12‑month, low‑risk GP staffing model from GP Connect designed specifically for PCNs, GP practices and GP surgeries. Instead of committing immediately to a salaried GP, you work with a Flex GP over a defined assessment period while GP Connect manages recruitment, continuity cover and all associated costs under one transparent annual fee.

The model bridges the gap between short‑term locum support and a long‑term salaried GP appointment. It gives you time to assess clinical performance, team fit and impact on patient access in real‑world conditions, before you decide whether to offer a salaried GP contract.

How the 12‑Month Flex GP Model Works

1. Practices provide clear requirements – You outline your clinical and operational needs: sessions, skill mix, preferred experience, digital systems, PCN priorities and any specific requirements for your GP surgery or Primary Care Network.

2. GP Connect launches ongoing recruitment – GP Connect uses its specialist GP recruitment expertise to source candidates who match your brief, managing advertising, screening and initial vetting on your behalf.

3. A suitable GP is identified in around two weeks – In most cases, a Flex GP who fits your criteria is identified within approximately two weeks, allowing you to stabilise GP staffing quickly and maintain service levels.

4. 12‑month assessment period – Over the 12 months, you work with the Flex GP within your day‑to‑day clinical operations. This is a genuine assessment period before you commit to a salaried GP contract, enabling you to evaluate performance, culture fit and patient feedback in depth.

5. Continuous recruitment throughout – GP Connect continues recruiting in the background for the full 12 months. If an even better‑matched clinician becomes available, you have the flexibility to transition, ensuring you secure the best possible GP for your practice or PCN.

6. Decision point at 12 months – At the end of the Flex GP term, you either enter into a salaried GP contract with your chosen clinician, or GP Connect continues to provide support and recruitment if you prefer to keep the flexible model in place.

Why Practices and PCNs Choose the Flex GP Model

Traditional GP recruitment can be high‑risk and expensive. Flex GP is built to address these pressures directly:

• No recruitment fees – There are zero separate GP recruitment charges. All costs are included within a single, predictable annual fee.

• Low financial and operational risk – You avoid committing to a salaried GP before you are confident about fit, capability and long‑term alignment with your Primary Care Network or GP surgery.

• Guaranteed continuity cover – Sickness and annual leave are covered within the model, so you maintain continuity of care without unexpected locum costs or last‑minute staffing gaps.

• Continuous recruitment for 12 months – GP Connect keeps the talent pipeline open, giving you access to high‑quality GPs throughout the year rather than a one‑off campaign.

• Transparent, budget‑friendly pricing – The annual fee is divided into 12 equal monthly payments, designed to sit within your existing GP budget and minimise financial surprises.

Flex GP supports stable clinical teams, improving continuity and patient experience.

Key Benefits for GP Practices and Primary Care Networks

• Real‑world assessment before commitment – Observe how a Flex GP performs within your clinical systems, MDT meetings and PCN priorities before offering a salaried GP contract.

• Zero recruitment fees – All GP recruitment activity is included, protecting your budget and freeing up funds for wider service development.

• Replacement GPs if circumstances change – If your Flex GP leaves or is not the right long‑term fit, GP Connect provides replacement clinicians without additional recruitment costs.

• Sickness and annual leave cover at no extra cost – Planned and unplanned absences are built into the model, supporting safer rota planning and consistent access for patients.

Ready to Reduce Risk, Save Costs and Secure the Right GP?

If you are a Practice Manager, PCN Director or GP Partner looking for a more sustainable approach to GP staffing, Flex GP offers a practical, low‑risk alternative to traditional GP recruitment. By combining continuous recruitment, built‑in continuity cover and a clear pathway to a salaried GP contract, it helps you protect patient access while making confident, data‑informed staffing decisions.

To find out how Flex GP could work for your Primary Care Network or GP surgery, and how GP Connect can help you reduce risk, save costs and secure the right GP for your team, get in touch with GP Connect today.