Practices in Northern Ireland are being overwhelmed by patients “kept in the dark” about their place on the region’s record waiting lists, according to an official report. Many of those on the region’s lists do not even know whether they are on it – and do not know if their case is routine or urgent.…

A new pledge to streamline targets in primary care was made yesterday as the Government set out proposals for developing the new integrated care systems. The pledge came in response to two investigations into the new systems which are meant to bring together health services under a single organisation. One investigation was by the House…

Hybrid training should be used when carrying out domestic violence and abuse training in general practice, experts recommend today. While the training in UK general practice moved to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, widening access for doctors, nurses, and administrative staff, researchers say it may have reduced learner engagement compared with face-to-face training. Writing…

Five practices have successfully gained substantial reductions in property service charges in a landmark battle, it has been announced. One practice has seen charges reduced by £400,000 – 80% of the original claim, the British Medical Association announced. The success could see other practices challenge bills levied by NHS Property Services Ltd. The BMA said…

GP leaders have queried the impact on services of an ambitious plan to create community weight loss clinics so thousands of obese people can get access to powerful new drugs. The Government is to spend £40 million on a pilot scheme that will improve access to the new drugs by creating community clinics as well…

Practices have found it hard to phase out the old “Lloyd George” envelope patient record system, it has been revealed. Most practices continue to use the envelopes although they were meant to be digitised by now, according to the Health Service Journal. An HSJ investigation found 18 out of England’s 42 integrated care boards stating…

Dozens of practices in Northern Ireland remain at risk amid a spate of closures, senior doctors have warned. So far this year partners at 16 practices have resigned from their contracts with the NI Department of Health – and the British Medical Association says another 30 practices are at risk. In some parts of the…