3.Following negotiations at national level, agreement has been reached with the medical profession on a new contract for the provision of general medical services by GPs. The new contract will apply UK-wide. The overarching policy objective of the Order is to make the necessary legislative changes to allow implementation of the new contract in Northern Ireland. It amends the provisions of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 (“the 1972 Order”) relating to the arrangements currently made by Health and Social Services Boards with medical practitioners for the provision of general medical services and personal medical services.