As the beleaguered general practice sector continues to fight to save itself, isn’t it about time the powers at be started listening to Practice Managers?

At a time when GPs are departing their profession in huge numbers, the NHS is imposing unwanted and impractical agendas on primary care and funding is being stretched, PMs are fast becoming the glue that holds the profession together. What’s more, PMs tend to have the skills needed in today’s modern world of general practice.

An evolving art

Management in general practice has evolved as general practice has developed from what the RCGP says was ‘a cottage industry into a mainstream business’. Traditionally, managers were promoted from reception or secretarial posts, on the assumption that an understanding of general practice was an essential prerequisite for the role. It is now generally accepted that management skills and experience are of prime importance, and that it may be easier for managers from other areas to learn about general practice than for administrative staff with practice experience to become effective general managers.

Managers of practices provide the essential leadership and management skills to enable the practice to meet its agreed aims and objectives within a profitable, efficient, safe and effective working environment. Aims and objectives may vary from site to site and from trust to authority but GPs and their whole teams are there to deliver care to patients – with PMs acting as the conduit between everybody involved.

The skills required

Modern general practice requires certain skills that practice managers possess in large quantities. These include:

• Communication (verbal, written and presentational)
• Strategic management and planning
• Financial management
• Human Resources
• Information management and technology
• Dissemination of information, training, coaching and mentoring
• Development and leadership of teams

So, in answer to the opening question, yes, it’s about time those who decide the fate of primary care did start listening to PMs. After all, they are the people who can align practices with authorities and trusts and they have the skills to make change happen. And, as we all know, change is inevitable. Plus, give PMs the credit they need and it might just encourage a few more GPs to hang around in the profession.