Practices have faced a huge increase in serious complaints in the last year – and also in praise, it has been revealed. The increase in complaints to the Care Quality Commission reflects the controversy about the switch to phone consultations. The Commission reported that 8,267 patients contacted it to lodge complaints about practices in the…

Practices led by ethnic minority GPs are not “operating on a level playing field,” inspectors admitted yesterday. The conclusion came after the publication by the Care Quality Commission of an investigation into claims that these practices face unfair discrimination. These practices are most likely to be operating in communities with high levels of deprivation and…

GP locums are more likely to be young males and work in underperforming practices or in rural areas, according to a new study. Analysis by researchers at the University of Manchester found that although the proportion of locums has not changed significantly between 2017 and 2020 – at 3% – usage of locums varied significantly…

We have created a new Governance Handbook [PLUS]. Like the others in the series, this is a useful, encyclopedic-type document. Split into the four major topics of governance within general practice; Clinical, Corporate, Financial and Information, the handbook covers the full spectrum of governance-related topics with hundreds of useful links that take the reader to…

Hot on the trails of the CQC Handbook [PLUS], the latest addition to our popular ‘must-have’ series has landed. The brand-new Governance Handbook [PLUS] is now available to download. This essential guide features the governance requirements that must be considered within any primary care setting. Packed with over 148 pages of the latest updates and information…

A grassroots practice revolt against the government’s “name and shame” proposals to force an increase in face to face appointments is under way. Practice leaders say the proposals are merely stoking abuse and violence against staff. One large local medical committee has advised practices to have nothing to do with the package – and another…

What you need to know as practice managers NHSE have released “Our plan for improving access for patients and supporting general practice”, so what do we need to know as practice managers? This financial year, general practice has provided more appointments than in the equivalent period before the pandemic. There is also an acknowledgement that…