It would seem that we in the UK are in the midst of a paradigm shift when it comes to delivering primary care appointments. COVID-19 has demanded that technology plays a full part in the tackling of our patients’ diseases and ailments, and the traditional 10-minute face-to-face (F2F) consultation between clinician and patient at the…

This year’s flu vaccination season looks set to be the most important one in recent memory – and probably the most complex practice managers will have experienced. With the threat of a catastrophic second wave of Covid-19 infections hanging over the health service, ensuring as many people as possible receive the required vaccination is critical.…

A fast-track investigation is to be launched into how new arrangements linking practices and hospitals have fared during the viral pandemic. The Care Quality Commission said its series of rapid reviews to help providers of health and social care services learn from their experiences of responding to COVID-19. The Provider Collaboration Reviews will focus on…

I was shocked to read that reports of domestic abuse have risen by a staggering 20% globally during the coronavirus pandemic – it seems to be an undeclared pandemic in its own right. We’re all aware that domestic abuse goes on; it probably reaches almost every person in the country either directly or indirectly. If…

Many practice managers (PMs) report that their job is stressful, but some seem to be “not waving but drowning”. It’s a worrying situation for those seriously affected by stress and also for those around them, including work colleagues, family and friends. Feeling stressed most or all of the time can have a significant negative impact…

First of all, I should start this blog by announcing that actually I’m a real advocate of having a healthcare regulator, and having the CQC is a good thing. So, there it is… I’m now officially a social outcast and I await your abuse! Background to the Emergency Support Framework (ESF) It all started on…

How to deal with incoming/outgoing partners Changes among the partners is a common feature of general practice. In an ideal world succession planning is a regular item on the agenda for partnership meetings so an impending retirement shouldn’t come as a surprise. But even with good planning changes can still occur with short notice. These…