GPs go into contract dispute after rejection Last night, GP leaders declared a formal dispute over this year’s contract settlement following the overwhelming vote of doctors to reject it, warning of the threat of industrial action or other sanctions. The BMA has advised NHS England that local health boards should now add potential GP action…

Cloud phones hit practice budgets The BMA has warned that practices are facing rising costs while trying to implement cloud-based telephony. Implementation was included in the GP contract as a key factor in helping practices handle appointments. But some practices are facing huge increases in the costs of phone systems. The BMA has warned that…

In a recent Practice Index webinar, we heard how one GP practice – St Lawrence Surgery in Worthing – has found a way to eliminate the dreaded 8am rush of patient calls. Jo Wadey, Practice Business Manager at St Lawrence Surgery, and Dr David Stokes, a GP partner at the same surgery and Clinical Director…

In the midst of what has become a highly confrontational year for the health service as different staff groups have clashed with the government, leading to strike action, the next battleground might just be in general practice. After months of inharmonious negotiations between the BMA and NHS England, the latest update to the GP contract…

Many practices use locum GPs to temporarily take over the place of a regular partner or team member. Traditionally they’re self-employed and will have numerous GP practices as clients. This includes locums who work through a limited company. However, the law surrounding such contractor status is complicated, which means that, in reality, situations can become…

There’s a dichotomy between the resources that are being put into general practice and the national messages that are being given about the service. Is this deliberate, and is general practice the victim of some elaborate plot against it? Or is it simply the ineptitude and lack of understanding of those making the decisions? The…

Recent political turmoil has led to the appointment of a new health and social care secretary in the form of Steve Barclay and a new Prime Minister is due to be selected by early September. When new people come into such influential posts, there is a brief chance to seek their attention and enlist their…