The guidance below was issued by the GPC back in May. This is also on their web page https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/covid-19/gp-practices/covid-19-toolkit-for-gps-and-gp-practices/service-provision
Contractual responsibilities of providing care during COVID-19 pandemic
We have received several queries and concerns in the last few days from LMCs and others about the contractual responsibilities of providing care for patients with COVID-19. We have as a result taken legal advice on this.
It is clear that the care of patients within the community with, or suspected of having, COVID-19 is part of the provision of essential primary medical services and a requirement of the GMS contract. Practices not doing this, or if they have inadvertently taken steps whereby they have stopped providing care for these patients, including not seeing patients face to face in their practice (or another premises such as a hub if they have a contractual arrangement for this) or at home when it is clinically necessary to do so, would be breaching their contract.
In addition, it would also be very damaging for the profession as a whole at a time when the public is applauding the work done by general practice and others in the NHS and care services, if reports emerge of practices failing to provide necessary care to patients with COVID-19. This is particularly the case when we are highlighting to government ministers and others the good work practices across the country are doing to support their vulnerable care home patients. We are sure LMCs will provide the necessary advice to practices should that be required.
Guidance on this matter is provided in the attached document, and we have updated our GP and practice toolkit.