Working from home. These three simple words seem to divide opinion amongst GP partners and practice managers. On the one hand, some see homeworking as disruptive, isolationist and damaging to team morale, while proponents of the idea argue that it’s more productive, boosts flexibility and is generally a better use of time. Looking at various…

Google is by far the most popular search engine. Across the globe, 88% of people searching the Internet on a desktop computer in November 2015 used Google. For mobiles the figure was even higher at 94%. So it’s important that when patients, prospective patients and their carers use Google to look up your practice, the…

A round up of the latest HR and Employment Law updates and related stories. MONITORING EMPLOYEE’S COMMUNICATION AND INTERNET USE A recent case in the European Court of Human Rights (the European Court), Barbulescu v Romania [2016] ECHR 61 has reviewed the question of employers monitoring employees’ personal communications at work. Although his employer had a…

GPs in England could threaten to resign en masse if the government does not agree a “rescue package” for their profession. The proposal is to be discussed at a special conference of local medical committees later this month. The proposal comes from the Buckinghamshire local medical committee – but is backed by other areas, such…

Even with years of experience and perfect policies and procedures, you might still find yourself requiring professional advice on a HR or employment law matter. Perhaps double checking something to make sure you are correctly following employment law and working in line with best practice. To a certain level, there is little need to pay for HR advice.…

GPs need to consider offering their practice nurses training in paediatric care, it was claimed today. A report published today shows that just 1% of practice nurses are registered as children’s nurses. The report of the Queen’s Nursing Institute says there is a “huge opportunity” for increased investment in practice nurses. Paediatricians said the report…

Grading Systems There is no consistent approach to the grading of general practice staff posts. Despite the advent, from 2005 of the NHS Agenda for Change pay system some practices still use the old NHS Whitley Council grading system. The Whitley system though is probably around 10% lower than the Agenda system. And of course…