Remember Phil’s ‘Kung Flu Fighting’ blog two flu seasons ago? If only we knew then what we know now, maybe we’d have stockpiled even more toilet rolls as we fast approach meltdown in this new pandemic. This time it’s a cousin of Olly MERS, or is it Olly SARS, that’s causing the global stock markets…

With the increasing concern about COVID-19, what should practices be doing to protect themselves against coronavirus? Telephone triage has been suggested as one possible way to minimise potential contact with COVID-19, but will it really work? For practices that don’t currently operate a telephone-triage system, one thing to bear in mind is the level of…

GPs have voted to reject the new primary care network system, condemning it as a “Trojan horse.” The decision this week by a conference of local medical committees deals a devastating blow to the programme, five weeks after the British Medical Association and NHS England announced a deal. The conference back a series of resolutions…

Practices may soon have to begin cancelling routine appointments and check-ups to deal with the effects of a Covid-19 epidemic, a senior GP has warned. The warning came as a health minister was confined to her home last night after being diagnosed with Covid-19 infection. Nadine Dorries fell ill last Friday and had the diagnosis…

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…

A group of GP practices has banned walk-in appointments and insisted on screening requests for appointments to try to stop Covid-19 spread, it has been revealed. Patients seeking an appointment at practices in the Rochdale area will have to specify the purpose of the appointment – under new rules. And practices will cease offering walk-in…

How to manage more than one boss It’s hard to think of a professional relationship more complex or unique than that of the practice manager and the GP partners. Job satisfaction for the PM is hugely dependent on it being managed successfully and this offers some helpful advice on how to approach it. Managing more…