New doubts have been raised about the ability of practices to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine in line with the latest guidelines. Senior GPs are pressing for significant funding for general practice – matching that put into test and trace – to enable the programme, which, according to some projections could start next month. The GP…

The British government wants to begin COVID-19 vaccination early next month if the Pfizer mRNA vaccine can gain approval, health secretary Matt Hancock has said. The project may lead to reductions in GP services as staff are deployed to run vaccination centres, senior doctors have warned. Mr Hancock conceded that vaccination would be a “mammoth…

Practices throughout England will be able to refer patients for same day appointments with community pharmacists from this month, it has been announced. The scheme will build on the development of telephone triage at practices, enabling practices to send patients straight to a pharmacy for minor illnesses. At the pharmacy they will discuss their problem…

NHS staff are to be a priority for COVID-19 vaccination along with care workers and residents of care homes, the government said yesterday. News of apparent success for the Pfizer mRNA vaccine threw into disarray the deal with GPs to lead the vaccination programme because of its requirement for refrigeration at 70 below zero. Government…

COVID-19 vaccination programmes will be delivered mainly through GP practices, it was announced last night. Practices are likely to designate one building in each area as a vaccination centre, sending their patients to it for vaccination, the British Medical Association said. The BMA announced a deal with NHS England, promising that practices would have preparations…

The merger of general practices in England to cover more patients at fewer, but larger, sites has failed to produce the intended outcomes, British researchers claim. The findings are based on patient reports of their experiences, such as waiting times, at these practices. Professor Lindsay Forbes of the University of Kent, UK, and colleagues analysed…

Many practices do not feel ready for the second COVID-19 wave, with concerns about protective equipment and premise management, according to a new survey of GPs. The findings led one medical organisation to press MPs yesterday for an urgent review of PPE guidelines and stockpiles. GPs also cited concerns about their own mental health and…