GPs and practice staff could find themselves sidelined in the rush to introduce planned NHS reforms, critics have warned. The proposed reforms were tabled in Parliament yesterday, receiving mixed reactions amid concerns about a ministerial “power grab” and the role of private companies. The Health and Care Bill enables the creation of integrated care systems…

Primary care providers across Europe were able to rapidly transform delivery of care during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite many challenges, according to an analysis published today. The researchers also found that providers who have autonomy and the ability to respond quickly are best positioned to adapt to a future crisis. The pandemic has seen practices…

Practices could face “arbitrary” limits on vaccine numbers when they take part in a planned massive programme of booster vaccination, it has been claimed. NHS England guidance, released yesterday, envisaged three million vaccines being delivered weekly. It followed the government receiving advice earlier this week to begin booster vaccines for the most vulnerable people in…

The Practice Manager’s Handbook 2021 [PLUS] is now available to download. Packed with over 435 informative pages, this is the definitive guide to practice management. This must-have handbook covers: Clinical processes Dispensing (for dispensing practices only) Finance Health and Safety Human resources Information governance Information technology Patient administration Practice business administration Premises Professional and relevant…

A booster vaccine programme for the most vulnerable people is likely to begin in September, it has been announced. The move was proposed by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in advance of the findings of clinical trials of booster injections. The committee has proposed that the vulnerable get a double injection of a…

A new practice payments and pensions system is failing to give managers the detailed data they expect, raising concerns that key payments information is missing, it has been revealed. The problems with the system, developed by contractors Capita, go beyond “teething problems,” according to a joint letter to NHS England. The letter has been signed…

The government is assuming a COVID vaccine booster programme will be needed this autumn – although one expert has raised doubts about its necessity, it has been reported. Health secretary Matt Hancock spoke on Monday of “plans for the booster programme”, leading GP leaders to warn they do not have the resources to administer another…