The impact of persistent absence on the UK economy is substantial. It’s estimated that the cost of long-term sickness absence is over £4.17b and with such prevalence, it’s likely you will be faced with managing this at some point in your career, at least once. The process of managing persistent absence in your team may…

When a referee blows their whistle during a rugby match, the game stops, everyone looks towards the ref, the players listen to what’s being said, a discussion is had, then the game continues. Listening is key in this scenario as the players want to understand why the ref blew their whistle and what it means…

It’s the start of summer and that means, peak holiday season has arrived! At this time of year, practices are usually filled with excited chatter about trips to sunny destinations. Given the stress and restrictions of the past two years, these trips are more meaningful than ever. Alas, 2022 has brought a sting in its…

There are always lots of questions asked about mandatory training. What does mandatory training cover? Who needs to do what particular training? When do you need to do refresher training? Where is the training to be done? Maybe you’ve also been asked, “Why do I need to do it?” If you’re left thinking, “I can’t…

It wasn’t too many years ago that the humble medicine cabinet simply contained some plasters and aspirin. Nowadays, it seems to be bulging at the seams with all kinds of tablets and a variety of home diagnostic equipment. During the pandemic, we all know it became harder to see a clinician. So, many a household…

Since the development of the First Contact Practitioner (FCP) role in 2014, when they were primarily Musculoskeletal (MSK) FCPs, the FCP role has evolved significantly. Within general practice, there are paramedics, physiotherapists, dietitians, podiatrists and occupational therapists all working in FCP roles, some of which are funded through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS). So…

While no one really knows what the future will hold for patients with Long Covid, it does appear that the Government is prepared to support sufferers, especially in the short term. The specification for the Long Covid Enhanced Service has a few points that are noteworthy, not least of which is the need to complete…