# Network Contract DES variation from 1 May 2026: what PCNs need to know

> A variation to the 2026/27 PCN DES lets ICBs seek local variations and lets some CAP and test site staff move into ARRS.

- Published: 30 Apr 2026
- Type: News
- Topic: PCN
- For: PCN leads, Practice managers
- Applies to: England
- Review: Reviewed by the Abtrace team
- Web page: https://ontherecord.abtrace.com/posts/network-contract-des-variation-may-2026/

## What's changed

- NHS England published a variation to the 2026/27 Network Contract DES on 30 April 2026, taking effect from 1 May 2026.
- ICBs can now ask NHS England for a local variation arrangement. These can only change sections 7, 8 and 10.1 to 10.5 of the specification, and only for the current financial year.
- GPs and Band 5 and 6 practice nurses whose posts were funded through the 2025/26 Capacity and Access Payment or the PCN Test Sites Programme can move into ARRS, subject to funding. The usual 12 month rule on recent practice employment does not block these transfers.

## Who it affects

PCN clinical directors, PCN managers and practices in England taking part in the Network Contract DES, especially those that used Capacity and Access Payment funding for GP or nurse posts.

## What to do

- List any GP or practice nurse posts that were funded by the Capacity and Access Payment or a test site, and check with your ICB whether ARRS funding is available to move them across.
- Ask your ICB whether it plans to request a local variation arrangement, and what that would mean for your PCN.
- If your PCN membership changed, or a practice wanted to join or leave, confirm the participation form reached your commissioner within the 30 calendar day window that followed publication.
- Check every member practice has accepted the contract variation in CQRS.

## Deadline

Changes to PCN membership linked to the variation had to be notified within 30 calendar days of publication on 30 April 2026.

## Sources

- [NHS England: Primary Care Networks: Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service from May 2026](https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/primary-care-networks-network-contract-directed-enhanced-service-from-may-2026/)
- [NHS England: Network Contract DES guidance for 2026/27, Part B: non-clinical](https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/network-contract-des-part-b-guidance-non-clinical-26-27-2.pdf)

Published by Abtrace on On the Record (https://ontherecord.abtrace.com/). Summaries only; always check the linked source.