Guidelines Live is a two-day event for all members of the primary care team with 3 consecutive clinical streams focusing on clinical guidance and hot topics seen in daily practice. Practice Index, in association with the Institute of General Practice Management, is delighted to bring you a dedicated stream of exciting, informative business and management…

Practice activity up on pre-pandemic period In April, practices in England delivered 30.5 million appointments, according to NHS England. This was six million more than in April 2019. The organisation reported that 98% of practices in England have now successfully upgraded their phone services, putting an end to the ‘engaged’ signal for most patients. In…

Threat of mass resignation underpins GP protest GPs are currently voting on action against the contract imposed in England this year, with the action, at first, involving not undertaking tasks that are not in the contract. Now the conference of local medical committees has voted to include the ‘threat’ of mass resignation, which has been…

BMA moves to vote on GP contract protest Doctors may limit their daily appointments to 25 as part of protest action against this year’s contract. The BMA has launched a ballot which will involve GP partners and contractors. The BMA says initial action will not involve breaching the NHS England contract – but doctors would…

Practices may be struggling to pay for locums GP leaders have called for additional roles funding to include locum doctors as it has emerged that some are struggling to get work. Official NHS figures show a 35% reduction in the number of ad hoc locums working in general practice in the last year. Dr Mark…

Rehab alternative to fit notes rolled out The Government has recently pledged to reduce the number of fit notes. Practices will be able to refer patients to WorkWell to enable them to receive support to return to work. The pioneering service will provide assessments and referrals to treatments such as physiotherapy and counselling. Greater Manchester,…

Half of regular patients are not getting continuity of care According to a poll conducted by the Liberal Democrats, only about half of regular practice patients are enjoying continuity of care with the same doctor. They found that 47% of adult patients who had seen a doctor more than once in the last few years…