Total practice appointments in England dropped in April amid unprecedented demand as the country emerged from the worst of the pandemic, according to new data. Appointment numbers slumped in April following a record March – leading to GP leaders to raise concerns about a new responsibility, for weight management, to be imposed on practices. The…

I’m sure the majority of current practice managers weren’t around during the Fundholding days of the 1990s and didn’t experience a practice receiving a Management Allowance to spend on extra staff. I recall my practice at the time received an allowance of £36,000 and my salary at the time was enhanced as a result. We…

I’m perennially a glass-half-full kinda girl. Having been in practice for more years than I care to remember, there are times when I really do wonder why I’m always so upbeat. Many years of experience should really have knocked that optimism out of me. But the sun is shining, the birds are singing – so…

Practices providing care for care homes will be required to ensure staff are fully vaccinated against COVID, it has been announced. The government is considering requiring all NHS staff to be vaccinated against both COVID-19 and flu, it was announced yesterday. Medical leaders reacted cautiously to the latest proposal, which is to be subject to…

Millions of people are now living in “enhanced support” pandemic areas after the UK last night abandoned hopes of ending lockdown amid about growing pressure on services. The British government stated officially that it still hopes to end lockdown after four weeks. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he had delayed the ending of lockdown to…

Take-up for NHS Health Checks is low, with fewer than 17% of eligible people attending an appointment, according to analysis published today. The programme has had limited success in reaching adults at high risk, according to the new analysis. A study into the cardiovascular prevention programme between 2013 and 2017 found that women were more…

Laying the foundations of a partnership in general practice begins with a comprehensive and concise offer letter. By setting out the terms and conditions and entering into a signed agreement, the parties involved will be fully aware of their position and obligations from the beginning; you will also mitigate the chances of a dispute later…