The Rural Practice Allowance (RPA) was updated to become the Rural Practice Support Framework (RPSF). GMS GP practice units in an area which has a population of less than or equal to 2,000 within a 4.8km radius of the practice unit’s principal practice address will be eligible for the new Support Framework.

• GP’s are required to live within a reasonable distance of the centre, subject to the prior approval of the HSE. This is an alternative to the previous arrangements where the GP was required to live in the immediate centre in which his/her practice is located.

• An eligible practice unit may consist of a single handed practitioner, a partnership or a group practice. 

• There will be no change to entitlements of a practice unit in the event of a new GP establishing a practice in their area.

• The support also available in a modified form where there are two eligible GMS practice units in a qualifying area.

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There are certain restrictions on qualifications for the Support Framework. These are:

• Where there are three practice units or more in a qualifying area the Framework will not apply.

• No practice unit may benefit from more than one Rural Practice Support Framework arrangement. A practice unit may not benefit from Rural Practice Support Framework and Rural Practice Allowance at the same time.

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A GMS practice unit which meets the criteria above will be eligible for maximum allowable practice support subsidies, annual and study leave locum contribution and medical indemnity refund and a financial allowance of €22,000 per annum which is reimbursed every quarter i.e. January, April, July and October.

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For further information (not including financial allowances as these have since been updated), please see IMO circular here.