GPs in Scotland are increasingly reluctant to work in out of hours services, leading them having to rely on nurses to respond to calls, according to new data. Most Scottish health boards have reported a decline in doctor availability – with the numbers of GPs working in out of hours service more than halving in…

As many as 20% of GP referrals to secondary care disappear into a “black hole,” it was claimed today. Hospitals are cancelling, losing or rejecting referrals while, in some cases, hard-pressed practice teams never make them, according to Healthwatch England. The findings come from a survey of 2,000 people who have undergone GP referrals in…

The government has fast-tracked regulation for new physician associates as a way to relieve pressure on GPs, health secretary Steve Barclay has said. At the weekend the government promised to bring forward legislation to require physician and anaesthesia associates to be registered with the GMC. Barclay said he was keen that physician associates take on…

Working in general practice is a demanding and stressful environment, so it is important to ensure that compliments are recorded and shared with the team to improve team morale, create a sense of positivity in the workplace and help deliver and evidence service improvements. Following on from the popular Complaints Manager, we have now launched…

Successful “crisis management” has prevented a meltdown of practice numbers in Northern Ireland, doctors’ leaders say. The region had 12 practices hand back contracts in the last year – but 11 of them were saved, the British Medical Association says. The figures from the quarterly General Medical Services Statistics for Northern Ireland show there were…

Residents of a Cornish town have turned to song and video in an effort to recruit a new GP. Many residents of Lostwithiel appear on a video promoting the attractions of the town for a potential doctor. The video was made by an arts community interest company, Really Lovely Projects, based in the town. The…

Qualified GPs are now, on average, responsible for 14% more patients than seven years ago, according to a new analysis. GP leaders said the data, obtained from the House of Commons library, was the latest to show the huge growth in pressure on practices. The new analysis has been undertaken by the Liberal Democrats, who…