Spending on general practice increased across the UK by more than 4% last year, according to new figures. GP leaders say the increase in the last financial year still left general practice a long way short of the level of funding it needs to cope with the growing pressure on services. The figures from NHS…

One of the things that most practice managers will agree is relatively unpleasant is conducting staff appraisals. To be effective they need to be open and honest, yet handled incorrectly they can be damaging to staff morale and the employee’s sense of worth. That’s why even the toughest receptionists quake at the thought of their…

Practices have been warned to take care if they use private companies and web-based consultations to try to cope with patient pressures. Several companies offer private web-based consultations with GPs – and are now reported to be doing deals with some practices. Practices in Essex and Oldham have been reported as using their services. The…

Part one of three: The CQC inspection process through the eyes of a PPG chairman  “As a PPG Chairman I’ve heard a lot about the CQC in recent times… so last month I admit I was particularly pleased to hear they were visiting our practice. Being a proactive PPG chair, I encouraged PPG members to do…

Irrespective of whether or not they are under any medical supervision, any person who wishes to take any steps to change their gender (gender reassignment) is protected by the Equality Act 2010 which  means that they can not be subjected to any form of discrimination including: Direct discrimination – when a person is treated differently…

Nearly 600 practices could close in the next four years amid a growing shortage of GPs, it was claimed yesterday. Across the UK the shortfall of doctors in general practice will reach nearly 20,000, according to the Royal College of GPs. The college promised a new campaign to recruit a generation of GPs from students…

Complaints against practices have fallen in the last year, according to figures published last night. The analysis of written complaints finds them falling in GP service and in hospital services by about 4%. In the year ending in March, some 82,559 written complaints were made against family health services and 116,180 complaints against hospital and…