Most GPs are keen to return to seeing more patients face to face, according to the profession’s leader. Many doctors feel like they are working in a “call centre” because about half of consultations are now by telephone, according to Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs. Professor Marshall speaks to The…

Official data shows a continued reduction in practice appointments, possibly linked to the drive to ensure COVID-19 vaccination. GP leaders say the latest data is misleading because of the amount of effort going into the vaccination programme. Practices recorded 23.5 million appointments in February compared with 23.8 million in January and 24 million in February…

Life, as we know, is a challenge in general practice.  But will 2021/22 prove to be the biggest challenge so far? Now, 2020/21 was challenging enough!  It is not every year that practices have to completely change the way they do things, cope with a pandemic, run the biggest ever flu vaccination programme, and then…

Half the British population has now had their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine with daily vaccination rates reaching record levels, it has been announced. By last Friday 26.8 million people had been vaccinated – with another million receiving doses over the weekend. Health secretary Matt Hancock acknowledged that shortages would lead to a slowdown next…

Practices need to take steps to ensure people with special needs are not deterred from seeking help by phone triage, a health watchdog says today. Healthwatch England calls for a “national review” of GP access, warning of many people feeling “frustrated and confused” by changes to the way practices work. It says that some groups…

All NHS and primary care staff in Wales are to receive a bonus payment to recognise their “extraordinary” pandemic contribution, it has been announced. Staff will get an extra £735 in their pay packet – but most will take home £500 after tax and national insurance. The award, worth £326 million, is to go 2,345…

The scaremongering over the Oxford vaccine may start to have an impact on UK vaccination rates, some doctors have warned. GPs spoke of some patients being concerned about the suspension of the use of the vaccine in Europe. The European Medicines Agency is expected to release today the findings of its review of the vaccine.…