The recent annual public satisfaction ratings for the NHS were probably the last thing GP practices needed to hear after such a tough two years – especially coming, as they did, just as practices were going back into QOF, enhanced services and dealing with rising numbers of Covid cases. The document from the latest British…

Researchers have called for interventions to support practice staff after a study highlighted widespread distress caused by working during the COVID pandemic. Nearly half of primary care workers in Spain showed significant psychological distress during the pandemic, according to an analysis published today. A team of researchers led by Dr Enric Aragones of the Primary…

A south London GP surgery has been rated inadequate for a second time and faces closure unless there are significant improvements, inspectors have announced. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out a second inspection at Village Surgery in New Malden in February, following an initial inspection in September after which the practice was placed in…

The public is making increasing use of the NHS App, reducing personal trips to practices, according to a new analysis. NHS Digital, which manages the App, said the study showed how the App is reducing the carbon footprint of the NHS by reducing patient journeys. According to the analysis, between April and December last year…

One in six GPs under the age of 50 are planning to leave the profession within five years, according to a major study casting light on the growing crisis in primary care. Overall, about a third of GPs are planning to quit or retire within five years, according to the eleventh GP Worklife Survey, conducted…

The number of GPs in England has been steadily declining for seven years – in spite of improved recruitment to training programmes, a government minister has admitted. Seven years ago the government promised to increase GP numbers by 5,000 – but since then the overall number of full-time equivalent, fully trained GPs has fallen by…

Practices have been ordered to work overtime to make up for any reduction in weekly appointment numbers caused by the coming Easter holiday, it has been revealed. Instructions from NHS England say that practices must make up the time within the following fortnight, the Daily Telegraph revealed. Practices have also been under pressure to offer…