Practices are to face new pressure to set up enhanced support programmes for care homes, it has been revealed. NHS officials have been ordered to produce a “clear plan and timetable” for the project – with a view to setting up services over the winter, the Health Service Journal revealed. A government taskforce wants practices…

Practices are braced for the impact of a new lockdown and the second wave of COVID infection, a senior GP has said. The UK is due to hear about new lockdown measures today following yesterday’s bleak assessment of the risks from the second wave of COVID-19 by its leading scientists. In the televised press conference, Professor…

Last week, I wrote a blog explaining why it’s good practice to give a presentation to your team about how the CQC inspects practices, particularly as a lot has changed over the past few months, including the CQC’s regulatory approach. What hasn’t changed is the fact that you still have a 30-minute opportunity to shine,…

The crisis in the UK COVID testing service could be about to trigger major medical and staffing shortages, a doctors’ group has warned. The government has paved the way for restricting access to testing and giving priority to health staff, returning to the procedures used at the outset of the pandemic, while Prime Minister Boris…

Investment in employer hubs – joining general practices and other NHS organisations with further education colleges – is needed to tackle the number of workforce vacancies across the NHS and social care, a report has claimed. With about 90,000 NHS vacancies and more than 120,000 in social care, a new report says the hubs would…

GP leaders were angered today by suggestions that some practices have been refusing patients face to face appointments. NHS England was writing a letter to all practices, reinforcing previous guidance that they must offer in person appointments and threatening enforcement if this did not happen. The Royal College of GPs said there was no evidence…

Many practices are under pressure financially following COVID-19. Specialist medical accountant Sally Sidaway offers ten tips on how to maintain profits in challenging times. 1 – Drug profit levels Even for non-dispensing practices, having good internal controls and a solid buying policy for drugs are essential. Make sure everything used is claimed for and that…