Practices urged to take control of Connect data The BMA has issued advice in an effort to forestall measures that, it fears, would lead to practices losing their control of data in GP Connect. According to the advice, practices should now use the system to prevent third parties from adding codes to patient records. The…

GP survey reveals recruitment concerns According to two major surveys, qualified GPs are struggling to find work, both as locums and as salaried doctors. The Royal College of GPs reported that 61% of GPs who have sought work this year say they have “struggled”, with 72% of newly qualified GPs reporting this problem. Meanwhile the…

London drive to improve practice safety Practices in London have received a wide-ranging package of support to help them tackle threats to safety. The resources, from the Londonwide Local Medical Committees, deal with threats to the safety of staff and risks to patient safety from overworked staff. They include posters and template letters to enable…

NHS Head calls for primary care vision NHS England Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard commented that the NHS needs a “modern vision” for primary care. She set out her ideas at the annual conference of the NHS Confederation. Quoted by the Health Service Journal, Ms Pritchard spoke of some “startling” changes and opportunities which, she believes,…

Threat of mass resignation underpins GP protest GPs are currently voting on action against the contract imposed in England this year, with the action, at first, involving not undertaking tasks that are not in the contract. Now the conference of local medical committees has voted to include the ‘threat’ of mass resignation, which has been…

BMA moves to vote on GP contract protest Doctors may limit their daily appointments to 25 as part of protest action against this year’s contract. The BMA has launched a ballot which will involve GP partners and contractors. The BMA says initial action will not involve breaching the NHS England contract – but doctors would…

Practices may be struggling to pay for locums GP leaders have called for additional roles funding to include locum doctors as it has emerged that some are struggling to get work. Official NHS figures show a 35% reduction in the number of ad hoc locums working in general practice in the last year. Dr Mark…