Negotiating a pay rise can be incredibly nerve-wracking. So much so that many practice managers say it’s the hardest thing they’ll do in their role. Many are fine negotiating on behalf of their staff, but when it comes to asking for themselves they encounter a mental roadblock. So, to help you on your way to…

(Time to read: 6 minutes) An essential and extremely important part of a practice manager’s role is ensuring adequate inductions are performed. While your new staff members – temporary or permanent – may have worked in other GP practices, yours may be very different, utilising different software and working to unique processes. In order to deliver…

The British Medical Association GP committee chair has called for the government to end a decade of “excuses” and fund general practice properly. Dr Richard Vautrey, who was speaking at the annual meeting local medical committees (LMCs) in Liverpool, said while doctors work hard and want to do all they can to help patients, the…

(Time to read: 4 minutes) The recent (and ongoing in some areas) period of bad weather brought into sharp focus the need for GP practices to have in place some effective – and workable – contingency plans. After all, patients continue to need care, often increasingly so in periods of cold. ‘Business continuity’ which could…

Unfortunately, questions relating to property ownership in primary care have risen to the top of many practices’ agendas in recent months, as the impact of the work carried out by NHS Property Services (NHSPS) has become all too clear.

(Time to read: 7 minutes) GP practices are complicated beasts these days. So many different services are being delivered by an increasingly wide range of practitioners, supported by a diverse range of additional offerings provided by external care providers. Throw into the mix the increasing choice of tech-based access and appointment delivery methods, the increasing…

Having staff who work from home can work well for both employee and employer, whether it’s occasional or otherwise, but here are some of the issues you will need to consider: (1) Job suitability Are the tasks that you expect to be done suitable for completion at home, taking into account: Equipment – is providing…