GP leaders have called for fundamental changes to the practice contract ahead of the end of a five year deal, warning of a collapse in doctor numbers. The British Medical Association’s GP committee yesterday set out its terms for new talks on the contract. It follows a year of tortured relationships with NHS England and…

A role in primary care management is varied, exciting and demanding. Practice management requires a wealth of skills and knowledge unique to the position.  Training and development at a national level would help and support practice managers to excel as leaders. If you had the opportunity to have some input into the future of national…

Scottish practices are to get funding to modernise phone systems alongside new support to bring in a range of healthcare professionals, it has been announced. The Scottish government announced a total of £82.6 million to expand teams within practices and “modernise systems.” It says that new clinicians will include pharmacists and nurses to assist with…

Patients in rural areas are generally happier with their GP and local practice than those in suburban districts, according to a new analysis. Researchers at the University of Aberdeen said the findings might help recruitment to work in remote parts of the countryside. They report that patients were “significantly more satisfied” in all questions about…

Practices will no longer have to require that all patient facing staff have a full COVID vaccination course, Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed last night. The repeal of the mandatory vaccination law will be subject to a formal consultation and parliamentary approval – and clinicians may face pressure from their regulators if they choose to…

GP leaders have reacted in anger to reports the government is planning to “nationalise” their profession. No plans have been published but, according to a leaked letter written by Health Secretary Sajid Javid, it could be done by stealth. According to the report in The Times, Mr Javid is enthusiastic to encourage NHS organisations to…

Practices have been told they can return to normal and downgrade the COVID booster campaign – in a move interpreted as heralding more face to face appointments. It came as the latest data showed that last month was the busiest December on record – with practices delivering 20% more appointments than two years previously. These…