In the latest twist, it appears that in general practice, despite urgent comms in the last few weeks, we aren’t going to need to be ready to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine programme from 1st December – or are we? Having read the letter sent out last week to NHS trusts, it appears at first glance…

Another stealthy letter has passed across my desk. I’d missed it among the never-ending torrent of paperwork and guidance. Somehow it only slipped into my consciousness today; clearly, I must have been asleep at the end of last week. Last day of the month and last thing on a Friday – really? I must start…

Having scoured the gov.uk website, so far I can’t see anything about planned changes to the flu vaccination campaign this year. That said, I did find this document which provides some clues about the way things might develop. I’ve deliberated before over what the flu season might look like this year. Unsurprisingly, I didn’t manage to secure any…

A PM colleague who seems to be well ahead of the game forwarded this letter to me: https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/C0569-Second-phase-of-General-Practice-response-to-COVID-19–update-to-GP-contracts-and-income-protection-a.pdf This innocuous looking letter has somehow sneaked into the system although I’m sure I haven’t seen it before. As always, it’s dated after some of the changes it mentions so we’re already behind before we’ve even started.…

I read an article in Pulse today which made my blood run cold. It appears that the rumours circulating about the extension of the flu vaccination programme might be more than just stories, with some PM colleagues reporting that their CCGs have asked them whether they can vaccinate all the over 50s. If I ruled…

As time in lockdown creeps slowly onward, are you finding life as challenging as I am? With NHSE emails and briefings, LMC and CCG emails, phone calls and an overwhelming tide of new guidance to keep an eye on, how are we all staying sane? I’m struggling to stay ahead of the workload and have…

With the Budget arriving on Wednesday, our thoughts turn to general practice and what might be proposed for us this year. While it is unlikely that our wish list of unlimited funding and double the number of GPs and nurses will be granted tomorrow, or ever! What could we more realistically hope for? The NHS…