Now that COVID-19 case numbers are falling in the UK and lockdown restrictions are being eased, the health service might think that work pressures are beginning to slacken. No such luck. It seems that demand from patients is intensifying and problems that patients have put on hold and tolerated during the past few months are…

We’re continuing our five-minute delegation series with an easy win for PMs. Of course, it won’t work for all meetings, because some are too confidential to be dealt with by someone else. But even if you can’t onward delegate, we’ll show you how you can achieve the same aims but with less aggravation. In either…

GPs and pain specialists have raised concerns about new guidance which calls for non-pharmacological treatments for chronic pain. GP leaders warned that practices and patients might struggle to get access to the kinds of interventions, such as acupuncture and psychological therapies, advocated in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance. The Faculty of…

GPs and practice staff are calling for a full overhaul of inspections, accusing inspectors of being “aggressive and unreasonable.” A round robin letter, currently signed by 140 doctors and other staff, says it is “unfortunate and unacceptable” that the Care Quality Commission has resumed normal inspections. It says the approach of the CQC can no…

GP leaders are alarmed that the proposed “COVID passport” scheme could require practice involvement in certifying certificates. The government is currently consulting on proposals, suggesting that certificates could be used for major events. A certificate would confirm the holder had been vaccinated or had a test confirming positive antibodies or, potentially, a negative test for…

Practices have been urged to reinstate medical assessments for people applying to be foster carers and adopters – amid concern that vulnerable children are being left waiting for new homes. Medical organisations said practices should undertake the assessments “where possible.” The Royal College of GPs and the British Medical Association say that many practices and…

With all the damage caused by the COVID-19 crisis, general practice has benefitted from some income protection. It’s all change for the year 2021/22. The gloves are off. We’re into new territory with additional indicators added to QOF. The Vaccination and Immunisations domain will make up a significant part of this. We’ll take a look…