In an attempt to improve patient contact with GP practices, NHS Bradford City CCG and NHS Bradford Districts CCG are funding training courses to train receptionists in customer care. The idea is to help staff “make each patient feel valued and at ease” and is part of a drive to improve patients’ experience of primary…

Are pharmacists the answer to easing practice workloads? Or can pharmacists ease practice workloads? One of the major news stories this week has been the launch of NHS England’s 10 point plan to address staff shortages in general practice. Along with incentivising GPs to postpone retirement, the plan includes piloting schemes to introduce new grades of support…

Almost every surgery in the UK is now ranked according to CQC criteria on quality of care, with the majority of practices falling into a ‘low concern’ category. The ratings system has been put in place to empower patients to make choices about their care provider and to increase a sense of shared accountability in…

Did you know that we have a dedicated GP Practice Managers’ Forum right here, with over 500 Practice Managers from all over the country already signed up and actively chatting? Registration is free and takes moments, so get involved here – you’re minutes away from joining a community of like-minded individuals all over the UK…

Every practice needs to ensure their doctors, nurses and administrators are regularly trained in resuscitation techniques in order to meet CQC, CCG and other professional body requirements. There are all sorts of providers of this sort of training across the UK, and training is delivered by anyone from dedicated First Aid trainers to practicing nurses,…

Being the gatekeeper between patients and doctors is a tough job for the Practice Manager. Constrained finances typically mean there are not enough doctors to adequately meet daily demands. Additionally managing the daily expectations of patients and genuine emergencies can pile the pressure on. A job that is not always fully appreciated by the general…

It has been a busy week for the General Practitioners Committee, due to the annual LMC Conference held in York on the 22nd and 23rd of May. Here are some of the key news stories to come out of the LMC Conference this week; including the vote against charging patients and the cry for more…