GP leaders are seeking legal redress after NHS officials blocked efforts to find out the scale of the problems in practice support services. The British Medical Association said has now reported NHS England to the Information Commissioner’s Office for its “frankly unacceptable” wait for a response to a freedom of information (FOI) request. The support…

As you’ve probably read by now, this week saw the publication of the new GP contract for 2017/18. Reading through the publication, it appears there’s some good news tempered, of course, by some bad. The headlines are that GPs will receive a pay rise of approximately 1% and the unplanned admissions DES will be scrapped,…

By Robert Campbell The most essential resource The most essential resource for a GP practice, apart from its clinicians, is its staff. The staff budget can account for over one third of the cost of running a medical practice. Before 2004 the value of a staff budget was relatively clear, as 70% was reimbursed by…

MPs are to debate the problems of “multiple failures” in services to GP practices after NHS England switched to a new system. GP leaders declared a vote of no confidence in the services provided by private company Capita several months ago. Now they say there has been little improvement since they have raised concerns. GPs…

The growing age of Britain’s GPs is a major risk to primary care, a senior doctor has warned. The Royal College of GPs has called for new measures to persuade doctors to stay in general practice. Its latest analysis suggests that 467 practices in England have GPs who are mostly over the age of 55.…

By Michele Petrie “Having been at a Three Counties PM meeting last week it was very clear that a lot of PMs have no idea about MCPs and the implications for them and their practices. I summarised the BMA document for my Partners and thought it would be worth sharing here – it makes for interesting reading….…

By Robert Campbell In academic fields, the role of research is essential, and believe me having spent years writing articles and preparing lectures I have done plenty. But surprisingly these research skills are transferable to the role of GP Practice Management. The ability to research important, up to date information on current issues, concerns and…