There’s no getting away from the fact that GP practices are moving inexorably towards a more business-focused model. This development has corresponded with a greater emphasis on optimising costs, increasing output, placing a greater emphasis on staff and patient relations and, crucially, maximising revenue streams. Charge the going rate An easy way to ensure you’re…

Well, I seem to have so much to rant about this week that I’m not sure where to start, so here goes… sugar tax…really?! Is increasing the cost of sugar really truly actually going to stop our kids from being obese? No, of course it isn’t. Don’t the powers what be understand that education (which…

A round up of the latest HR and Employment Law updates and related stories.   REVIEW STAFF PAYMENTS BEFORE NATIONAL LIVING WAGE BEGINS As reported in our earlier blog of 27th August 2015, the new minimum wage levels came into force at the beginning of October 2015. However, with further increases due in the levels of wages…

1) Stop procrastinating We know the thought is as tempting as tackling a copy of War and Peace before bed, but it’s time to stop putting off reading through the CQC Compliance document . Go on – you’ll be glad you did. 2) Get your patients working for you No, not in your practice (why not…

EU regulations coupled with recent case law means that many practices and other employees are confused about holiday pay, so let’s examine the entitlement. 1) ENTITLEMENT BY LAW Statutory Entitlement Legislation, particularly the Working Time Regulations 1998, means UK workers are entitled to at least 5.6 weeks paid holiday. For most practices operating a 5 day…

The well-publicised GP shortage, rising stresses and strains of the job leading to increased absenteeism and an ever-growing demand for GP services means that locums are becoming an increasingly essential component of any GP practice’s workforce. But how can you make sure you’re selecting a locum that fits in well in your practice and how…

A round up of the latest HR and Employment Law updates and related stories.   WHISTLEBLOWING – WHAT AMOUNTS TO A PROTECTED DISCLOSURE The case of Underwood v Wincanton Plc UKEAT/0163/15/RN means that theoretically a dispute between group of employees and their employer could be relevant to “whistle blowing” and amount to a protected disclosure under…