Many practices are under pressure financially following COVID-19. Specialist medical accountant Sally Sidaway offers ten tips on how to maintain profits in challenging times. 1 – Drug profit levels Even for non-dispensing practices, having good internal controls and a solid buying policy for drugs are essential. Make sure everything used is claimed for and that…

I am a practice manager in a large, semi-rural medical practice in Lincolnshire. We have just shy of 20,000 patients and a magnificent team of 60 dedicated individuals who provide clinical and administrative support in keeping the wheels of our little part of the NHS landscape turning. We all work exceptionally hard in normal times…

This year’s flu vaccination season looks set to be the most important one in recent memory – and probably the most complex practice managers will have experienced. With the threat of a catastrophic second wave of Covid-19 infections hanging over the health service, ensuring as many people as possible receive the required vaccination is critical.…

Well, haven’t we all had a few interesting weeks! What started out for some as “it’s only like flu, don’t panic”, has rapidly become akin to the Great Plague with Joe Public wearing masks and gloves while doing the supermarket shop (I’m saying nothing about the absolutely appalling behaviour of some panic-buying as that’s a…

GP practices – as is the case with all healthcare organisations across the globe – are currently trying to deal with unprecedented pressures. This, in turn, is putting staff under greater pressure than ever – which is why practices are being urged to consider the mental health and wellbeing of their staff. “There’s no escaping…

I’ve been a Practice Manager for over 11 years now and, in that time have also been a Federation Direction, PCN Board member and Training Practice Assessor. In what is largely an enjoyable job, I’ve seen things in general practice that do and don’t work, and I’ve also seen the huge amounts Practice Managers have…

For cash-strapped GP practices, maximising every income generation opportunity is an absolute must. Whether it’s increasing revenue from extended and enhanced services, maximising QOF points or building a practice list, your patients hold the key to financial success. But just how do you ensure people know about your services and, hopefully, use them? The answer…