GPs could benefit from a change in the tax rules aimed at encouraging the self-employed to improve their range of skills, experts have said. The changes would enable doctors and their staff to train in the skills needed to diversify and offer new services. The government is searching for ways to enable GPs and other…

All of England will have GP “extended access” this year, according to NHS planners. The programme is well ahead of schedule, allowing NHS England to set a deadline to complete it by October this year, according to an analysis of its planning guidance. However the new target still means the number of practices offering the…

It is well documented that GP receptionists are your front line. He or she is the first person your patients are met with, they have to deal with 101 questions and keep smiling with the most testing of patients. They are also play a vital role in determining the level of patient satisfaction with a practice…

Having staff who work from home can work well for both employee and employer, whether it’s occasional or otherwise, but here are some of the issues you will need to consider: (1) Job suitability Are the tasks that you expect to be done suitable for completion at home, taking into account: Equipment – is providing…

England relies on overseas GPs to work long hours and accept low pay for providing health services to its poorest communities, according to a leading primary care researcher. More than 21% of the country’s GPs were trained overseas, mostly in countries outside the EY, according to the Manchester University analysis. In total some 4.1% of…

Most practices know and appreciate the benefits of inclusion and have now adopted the principles behind the Equality Act so that they are complying with their obligations as employers. However, we should ask ourselves, is compliance enough or could and should we be doing more?

GP leaders have declared their continued opposition to being required to levy charges on overseas visitors – as NHS hospitals in England introduced an up-front charging system. Many NHS managers and senior doctors have expressed concern about the rules, which require NHS staff to establish patient residency and levy charges before admission to hospital. A…