Dispute over growing appointment numbers GP and NHS leaders have clashed over another upsurge in appointment requests. NHS England says the nearly 26 million appointments in December demonstrate progress in improving primary care, while the Royal College of GPs says it shows that pressure on practices is becoming even more intolerable. NHS England National Director…

Cloud phones hit practice budgets The BMA has warned that practices are facing rising costs while trying to implement cloud-based telephony. Implementation was included in the GP contract as a key factor in helping practices handle appointments. But some practices are facing huge increases in the costs of phone systems. The BMA has warned that…

Contract proposal would mean “awful choices” The BMA is planning a referendum of GPs if the Government sticks to the proposed 1.9% contract increase. BMA leaders say they will continue talks throughout this month to seek improvements. Practices are desperately worried about their finances, even before they face a below inflation increase in contract payments,…

Alarm over low uplift Practice Managers have warned that practices will close and patients will suffer if it’s correct that the general practice uplift for the 2024/25 is to be less than 2%. According to a report by the Pulse, the uplift to be offered is just 1.9%. The Institute of General Practice Management commented:…

Practices urged to set out priorities Dr Michelle Drage, Chief Executive of Londonwide Local Medical Committees (LMCs), has urged practices to speak out about the “hamster wheel” of pressures they face and to decide on their priorities ahead of this year’s general election. Dr Drage wrote to members of Londonwide LMCs following the rallying cry…

Practices praised for delivering record numbers of appointments November 2023 was the busiest November ever for general practice, according to NHS England, and this highlights the enormous pressure on GP services. The number of appointments was 30% higher than before the pandemic, and almost 70% of appointments were in person. NHS England Director for Primary…

All new mothers in England are to receive an in-depth mental and physical check-up from their GP in the weeks after they give birth, NHS officials have promised. The postnatal check-up, which takes place between six and eight weeks after giving birth, will cover several topics such as mental health, physical recovery and breastfeeding, and…