In the week when face coverings became compulsory on public transport in England, it seems incredible that there’s still confusion over whether face masks are mandatory for patients in GP surgeries. The guidance from Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England is muddled and, if the thread on our Practice Index Forum is anything to…

GP video-consultations slumped during April as patients stayed away from practices, according to new figures. The total number of practice appointments fell by about a third – and hopes that practices would successfully switch to using video appeared disappointed in the NHS Digital figures. They show that practices recorded 44,146 video or online consultations compared…

Warning! It’s now time to reset the answerphone message from “I’m out of the office indefinitely” to a more welcoming and possibly more professional version. Why? Well, the CQC is coming to a telephone near you! No need for mass hysteria, but the brow does become slightly wrinkled when we ponder what our colleagues at…

Data analyst Stephen Black offers some insights into how changes in workflow and GP and patient behaviour are taking place following the widespread adoption of online consultations in general practice. Data from NHS England says that, as of 24th April, 58% of practices are now live with an online consultation system. The data also confirms…

As public fears over the COVID-19 virus pandemic continue to grow, GP surgeries are having to undergo significant changes in how they are dealing with patients and meeting demand in different ways. Face to face appointments are fast becoming a rare interaction as telephone and technology must take centre stage in helping practices deal with…

We understand that working in primary care you are the first port of call for many of the patients looking for answers in the current crisis. Time is of the essence and you are fighting to do a fantastic job in very trying circumstances – just when you thought your day to day PM role…

A group of GP practices has banned walk-in appointments and insisted on screening requests for appointments to try to stop Covid-19 spread, it has been revealed. Patients seeking an appointment at practices in the Rochdale area will have to specify the purpose of the appointment – under new rules. And practices will cease offering walk-in…