The government is facing a growing backlash from GPs over its COVID vaccination plans – with demands for improved compensation, it has been claimed. One GP group says that practices may be reluctant to become involved if they are uncertain that the high costs of setting up vaccine centres will be repaid. Meanwhile local medical…

The last vestige of practice control of health services could be scrapped within 18 months with the abolition of clinical commissioning groups, it has been revealed. The move could roll back 30 years of reorganisations that have attempted to use primary care knowledge to improve allocation of resources in the NHS. The CCGs would be…

GP leaders have rejected the latest claims that patients are unable to get appointments because of COVID restrictions. The latest Daily Mail article points the finger at receptionists, accusing them of acting like “gatekeeper guard-docs. Caroline Abrams, chief executive of Age UK, told the paper: “Most experts assume the higher-than-usual deaths at home are people…

Frustrated by the lack of voice for practice managers – and concerned about the stresses being placed on the profession because of COVID-19 – a group of practice managers have set about forming an organisation that aims to be the positive voice for all managers in general practice. Kay Keane (Alvanley Family Practice), Robyn Clark…

Most doctors spend at least an hour a day on administration while GPs may spend a third of their time on red tape, a government review has found. Health secretary Matt Hancock used the findings of the review to promise the profession further reductions in red tape. The review found more than a thousand examples…

Practices in Wales have taken on tasks that are normally provided through hospital services – often without being asked about their willingness to do so, according to a survey of GPs. These include blood tests and ECGs as well as follow ups and prescriptions, according to the British Medical Association survey. 90% of GPs said…

The golden hello scheme was agreed as part of the 2020/21 GP contract deal and opened to applications on 1 July this year after being delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.  Golden hello payments are available to people taking up partnership roles in general practice for the first time after 1 April 2020, and can be claimed not…