A much talked about news story this week has been the significant drop in the number of Friends and Family Test (FFT) results submitted by GP practices. Despite warnings about contracts being breached if there’s a failure to submit data, the response rate for the FFT from London practices fell to 57% in May, a…

The Care Quality Commission has published another batch of reports on the quality of care provided by GP practices that have been inspected under its new approach. Always interesting reading, the reports provide practice managers with plenty of insight regarding what’s working well at practices – and what’s not so good of course! Practice Index…

You’re only human. We’re sure you’ve said things in the office before that you regretted immediately, and it’s possible that you have ways of communicating with your team even now that might not send out the most positive message. Have a look through some of our worst Practice Manager clangers inspired by stories from Dave…

A recent study by Investors in People found that 47% of employees considered changing jobs in 2014. Nearly a quarter claimed that they would have moved 12 months ago had the economy been stronger. And of the 24% of employees feeling unhappy in their current positions, 47% blamed bad management. Retaining staff is, as you well know,…

For so many employees, meetings can all too easily feel like wasted time – taking us away from our ever-increasing jobs list. But small adjustments can turn your weekly staff meeting into a productive event and a team-building exercise in one. Which is what they should be. 1.      Set an agenda Meetings that run on…

There may be official guidelines on compassionate leave and all the practical aspects of grief and bereavement, but supporting a grieving colleague emotionally through a loss – from the death of a spouse or parent to miscarriage of stillbirth – can be the most challenging task they will face in their career. The way you…

It’s 2015 already and don’t we know it?! Surgeries are full to capacity with poorly babies and all manner of flu and bugs, you’re managing those endless staff holiday requests as best you can, and your to-do list for jobs at home is making zero progress. Your diet and good habits suffered over Christmas, from…