Throughout 2023, employee wellbeing has been a regular source of discussion and debate in GP practices and beyond. The idea of writing about it at Christmas as well seems like such a stereotypically ‘HR’ thing to do – sorry! But, in my experience, this time of year can have wildly different effects on how individuals…

The NHS Long Term Plan, published in January 2019, commits to every patient having the right to be offered digital-first primary care by 2023/24. The various commitments that make up this plan have been introduced gradually every year through the GP Contract since 2019/20, which means GP practices should, among other new requirements, now offer an…

When I used to think of Davina McCall, I’d conjure up an image of an over-enthusiastic MTV VJ (Video Jockey for the youngsters among us) or an excitable host of Big Brother. Now I associate the menopause with her for several reasons – mainly for speaking out about it and removing the stigma. But, also,…

In this month’s HR clinic, Robyn Clark (aka JacksonR) and Susi O’Brien (HR Help advisor) explored the challenge of managing staff who are on long-term sick leave. Here is a summary of the questions we received, and the answers given. How long can someone be off before it’s fair to dismiss them? Great question! This…

This year’s contract includes a new QI QOF module on staff wellbeing and retention, and we cover this topic in this month’s Practice Index podcast. A key question that emerged was whether there’s anything we can realistically do about staff wellbeing given the parlous state general practice now finds itself in. There’s something innately galling…

The thought of having to tackle potential bullying or inappropriate behaviour is enough to get the pulse racing of any practice manager. However, these things do crop up – and even more so these days when everyone is feeling pressure and stress. But what constitutes bullying? And what is the definition of workplace harassment? And…

Ministers have claimed a milestone in the recruitment of thousands of extra staff to primary care – while practice leaders warned of “continuing” collapse. Health Secretary Steve Barclay announced the recruitment of 29,000 extra professional staff just as the local medical committee representatives gathered in London for their annual conference. The numbers met a 2019…