No, this isn’t about the popular film of 1984; it’s about the fact that GP patients’ lists are based on the number of registered patients. Inevitably, though, patients who use the NHS from the cradle to the grave move address, leave the country or sadly die. It’s always been accepted that an element of a…

Averages in general practice* GP list size is 2,087 patients. Practice list size is 8,757. Number of repeat prescription items issued per patient per annum is 13. Number of GP referrals made per month is 9 per GP. Number of consultations per patient per annum is about 3. As a practice manager and AMSPAR tutor,…

I’m sure the majority of current practice managers weren’t around during the Fundholding days of the 1990s and didn’t experience a practice receiving a Management Allowance to spend on extra staff. I recall my practice at the time received an allowance of £36,000 and my salary at the time was enhanced as a result. We…

Each of you will have a different story and will have followed a different career path as there’s no single route to becoming a practice manager. A recent survey suggested that around 50% of practice managers (PMs) had been in the job for less than five years. Therefore, to argue that a manager must have…

I’ve been pondering the kinds of errors that are made when submitting the annual pension returns to NHS Pensions, the dreaded SD55. As a retired person, but still doing the odd practice management job, I fully understand the importance of accurate NHS pensionable service records and up-to-date contributions being recorded correctly. “Here’s another fine mess…

Over the last ten years, I’ve worked for a number of practices, helping them out during difficult times, and have been involved in the recruitment of new practice managers. So, during that time, I’ve come across a variety of situations, which on reflection make me think about the salaries offered for the job in hand.…

Have you reached the point when you arrive at your surgery, walk in with a sense of dread and wonder exactly what it is you should do first? I always head for the kitchen to make my first coffee of the day. No blooming milk! This means a walk to the front door to see…