Human beings are all different. It therefore figures that, when you put people together in a practice, conflict is inevitable. Conflicts can arise between co-workers, managers and subordinates or between employees and external stakeholders, which in primary care generally means patients. We’ve all experienced situations where you can cut the tension in the air with…

Much continues to be said and written about staffing within GP practices. While the chronic GP shortage continues, practices are being encouraged to look to alternative staff ideas, including pharmacists and physician associates. The latter arguably has greater potential to ease workloads within practices and the NHS is to spend £15m on training 1,000 GP…

Contemplating dismissing an employee who is on long term sickness has always been difficult for employers/practices. However, in the recent case of O’Brien v Bolton St Catherine’s Academy the Court of Appeal has provided us with some helpful consolidated guidance indicating that it is acceptable to tackle the issue if: you can justify dismissal and you…

Earlier this month the Scottish government announced £2.5m worth of funding for the training of GP staff. The big news here is that, rather than focusing on GPs, decision makers at Holyrood are recognising the role clerical staff play in delivering effective primary care – and how integral they are to the practice team. The…

At a time when staff recruitment is probably harder than it has ever been, the need to retain staff – and keep those valuable assets fit and healthy at work – is more acute than ever. Whether staff departures are voluntary or involuntary, it can be problematic for practices due to the costs involved in…

For years, nurses have been an important part of delivering care in general practice. And with current policy increasing the shift of care from hospital to general practice, nursing provision will only become more important. However, at the same time, the skill mix within practices now often includes Health Care Assistants (level 2 – 4),…

Recruiting new staff – or promoting from within for that matter – is never easy. Despite multiple interviews, numerous references and forensic inspection of CVs and covering letters there’s absolutely no guarantee your chosen person will prove to be suitable for the role; which is why probation periods matter so much. Probation periods give you…