Alarm over low uplift

Practice Managers have warned that practices will close and patients will suffer if it’s correct that the general practice uplift for the 2024/25 is to be less than 2%.

According to a report by the Pulse, the uplift to be offered is just 1.9%.

The Institute of General Practice Management commented: “This doesn’t cover the cost of the mandatory uplift to NLW, which impacts on most staff in general practice. The government needs to reconsider.”

The BMA has described the proposal as “grossly inadequate”. Funding for other parts of the NHS is to increase by 6%.

Prescriptions on the NHS App

All patients in England will now be able to use the NHS App to view their prescriptions.

Users without a nominated pharmacy will be able to use a barcode in the app to collect their prescription from any pharmacy instead of needing a paper version, while those with a nominated pharmacy can continue to collect medication without a paper prescription or barcode as details are sent to their pharmacy electronically. Another feature on the app is enabling patients who are waiting for an elective hospital treatment to see the average waiting time for their procedure at their local trust.

Vin Diwakar, National Director for Transformation at NHS England, said: “The NHS App is transforming the way people manage their healthcare, freeing up valuable time for healthcare professionals.”

More details on how to register with the NHS App are available at www.nhs.uk/nhs-app

New practice roles failing to reduce workload

The Queen’s Nursing Institute has investigated “multiple challenges” posed by the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, which has supported the employment of pharmacists, dietitians, paramedics and others.

Researchers found the roles worked well when the new staff were able to focus on their specialist area, but when they were employed simply because of funding or with the hope they would relieve pressure on clinicians, it backfired.

Researcher Professor Alison Leary stated: “ARRS appears to have impacted the workforce in several ways. This ranges from a lack of resources to support those new to primary care, expectations by others of GPNs filling a gap and a lack of consultation regarding a major workforce change, leading to feelings of devaluation.”

Pharmacies set to reduce practice workload

Now offering treatment for seven common conditions, pharmacies are set to reduce the load on practices. The new service, known as Pharmacy First, offers treatment for sinusitis, sore throat, earache, insect bite, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated UTIs. According to NHS England, more than 90% of pharmacies are now offering these services.

NHS Medical Director for Primary Care, Dr Claire Fuller, said: “This will also relieve pressure on our hard-working GPs, freeing up millions of appointments for those who need them the most.”

Ruth Rankine, Primary Care Director of the NHS Confederation, added: “Our members and pharmacies must be properly supported if this scheme is going to help reduce demand on GP services. This includes making sure that GP and pharmacy IT systems are properly connected so that updating patient records between the two services does not create additional work for staff. The last thing we want is for patients to fall through the cracks between the two services.”

Education is key to remote consultation satisfaction

Dissatisfaction with remote consultations is associated with low levels of education, according to a new analysis. The findings come from a survey of 1,400 adults who had remote consultations in 2021.

Researchers at Cardiff University reported their findings in the British Journal of General Practice, writing: “Technological capability and satisfaction with remote consultations may be interrelated, although this was not assessed within the present study. Those with higher levels of education may have both better access to and knowledge of using technology for remote consultations leading them to feel more confident in its use, resulting in higher levels of both use and satisfaction.”