I was shocked to read that reports of domestic abuse have risen by a staggering 20% globally during the coronavirus pandemic – it seems to be an undeclared pandemic in its own right. We’re all aware that domestic abuse goes on; it probably reaches almost every person in the country either directly or indirectly. If…

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have had to adjust the way they work and have faced many challenges along the way. “These are unprecedented times” is a phrase we’ve become all too familiar with. It goes without saying that our NHS and front-line workers have been pivotal in keeping us, the public, safe. So how…

The country should learn from its mistakes and be ready to learn lessons from overseas the next time a novel pandemic threatens the world, according to members of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The college’s proposals come from a group of public health doctors and epidemiologists who are members of the college. A…

Practices have been warned to expect hundreds of calls from shielding patients amid a report of government intending to end the programme at the end of July. Ending the programme would mean up to two million people would cease to get free food deliveries – and those shielding would get advice on how to leave…

Barely 100 practices have opted out of the new primary care network contract, the government has announced. Two weeks ago it was reported that 25% of the 6,700 practices in England had not signed the contract before a 1 June deadline. Practices were alarmed at requirements that care homes get regular visits – even when…

Many practice managers (PMs) report that their job is stressful, but some seem to be “not waving but drowning”. It’s a worrying situation for those seriously affected by stress and also for those around them, including work colleagues, family and friends. Feeling stressed most or all of the time can have a significant negative impact…

A controversial on-line GP service has been rocked by a software failure that led to patients able to see other people’s consultations. Babylon Health said the breach only affected a handful of patients. One patient, Rory Glover, told the BBC that he found 50 videos that did not belong to him on his app. The…