The Institute of General Practice Management (IGPM) has recently launched formal accreditation for Practice Managers. Three of their directors recently joined me to talk about the accreditation process, and you can listen to our conversation here. I think this is a really important initiative, both for individual Practice Managers and the profession as a whole…

When I attended my first practice manager meeting many, many years ago, I thought to myself, ‘What a bunch of cynics! That’s never going to be me.’ My positivity did last for a fair few years; through the first five years, I was still certain that I could effect change and I wasn’t going to…

In some places across the country, Primary Care Network (PCN) managers have struggled with their local practice managers (PMs). This has, on rare occasions, led to the PCN manager resigning from the role, claiming that the job is “impossible”. So why is there sometimes tension between PCN managers and PMs, and are there ways of…

Have you reached the point when you arrive at your surgery, walk in with a sense of dread and wonder exactly what it is you should do first? I always head for the kitchen to make my first coffee of the day. No blooming milk! This means a walk to the front door to see…

Having spent the best part of four decades as a practice manager, it goes without saying that Elaine Wilkinson has witnessed an awful lot of change in general practice. In 40 years, Elaine has had to deal with countless clinical, administrative, technological and funding changes – which she has successfully dealt with by following two…

With the Budget arriving on Wednesday, our thoughts turn to general practice and what might be proposed for us this year. While it is unlikely that our wish list of unlimited funding and double the number of GPs and nurses will be granted tomorrow, or ever! What could we more realistically hope for? The NHS…

We’re delighted to inform you that Practice Index is launching ‘The Wellness Centre’, which will support your well-being and also that of your colleagues in the practice. We’ll build a resource of our own ideas and suggestions, as well as yours, so that we can share what’s relevant and useful to support the well-being of…