Time for change Workload pressures in general practice are particularly pressing at the moment and the trend shows little sign of changing. The King’s Fund, for example, has highlighted that causes for the sector going through this turbulent period include patient dissatisfaction with appointment availability and volume and quantity of GP consultations increasing. These causes…

By Alan Moore Management theorists have for many years promoted the idea that all businesses need to be aware of the world in which they operate; they call this environmental monitoring. The days when Henry Ford could say that a buyer could have one of his cars in any colour so long as it was…

110 pages on everything you need to know as a GP practice manager. This detailed manual includes sections on accounts, complaints, CQC inspections, estate management, pensions, payroll and staff. Written by three highly skilled and long-serving practice managers; Michele Petrie, Robert Campbell and Alan Moore. Includes additional input from PM colleagues with significant experience of…

I am a partner (I’m not really, but for this exercise, just bear with me). And because I am not really a partner, I am going to (not really) be the Senior Partner. And I am going to be slim, handsome and young – just because I can be, even if it is for only…

For years, nurses have been an important part of delivering care in general practice. And with current policy increasing the shift of care from hospital to general practice, nursing provision will only become more important. However, at the same time, the skill mix within practices now often includes Health Care Assistants (level 2 – 4),…

Now that the majority of practices across the country have enjoyed the pleasure of a CQC inspection, there’s a wealth of information available highlighting best practice (excuse the pun!). Inspection reports provide great examples of some excellent work. As you’ll be well aware by now, one of the key lines of enquiry is all about…

Last year, Practice Index’s survey of practice manger workloads found that 97% feel they are overloaded. That, in turn, means the appointment of assistant practice managers is becoming far more commonplace in practices up and down the country. But how can APMs, as we’ll call them, be used most successfully and efficiently? And can they…