The new National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021 were released quietly and without a fanfare back in April 2021. So much so, I wasn’t even aware of them until a few weeks ago when I thought I should start updating the Infection Prevention and Control Policy and its sister document, the Cleaning Standards and Schedule Policy. Additionally, there’s been…

As technology’s role in healthcare keeps on growing, one crucial aspect of the primary care system, new patient registrations, is an example of an online approach that could become the norm. Spoiler alert – it’s already happening! The COVID-19 pandemic forced the health service to focus on helping those most affected by the virus and…

Practices have been facing 30% more patient demand than two years ago – before the pandemic, according to one leading partnership. GPs in the Modality Partnership, which includes dozens of practices, are now dealing with 50 contacts a day, significantly more than recommended levels of 30 contacts, according to the Health Service Journal.This contrasts with…

In some places across the country, Primary Care Network (PCN) managers have struggled with their local practice managers (PMs). This has, on rare occasions, led to the PCN manager resigning from the role, claiming that the job is “impossible”. So why is there sometimes tension between PCN managers and PMs, and are there ways of…

The public recognise that doctor shortages are the key problem in general practice, campaigners say today. A new campaign seeks to turn public opinion following controversy over claims that patients cannot get face to face appointments. The British Medical Association is using the slogan “Support Your Surgery” for the campaign. A major petition calls on…

A new analysis shows how problems in general practices have been growing to critical levels in the last decade. More than 25% of practices were suffering from high GP turnover before the pandemic – a doubling of the number facing this problem, according to a Manchester University study published today. The researchers said the findings…

More than 200,000 people may be waiting for medical assessment for driving licences because of queues for GP services, the British Medical Association says today. Many people are turning to independent doctors to get assessments – but the BMA says this could lead to unfit people getting clearance to drive. It has called on the…