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 protocol for GP Practices is vital. However, knowing where to find all this information can be a challenge.

Rarity of Text Books

Until recently, most research was book based and involved trawling through book shops, libraries and my own well-stocked book shelf that contained reference books, text books, Green Papers, White Papers, and more. Even though I still have many of these books that are still relevant, but the internet has taken over as a research resource, with very few ‘text’ books on general practice now being published. But with so much information online, you need to be careful where you source it from.

Use Trusted Sites

This is why it’s imperative to use trusted sites to ensure information is accurate and current. The internet is a great time saver and a good resource for recent general practice, but go beyond 2000 and the information becomes sparser. To steer you in the right direction here are a few trusted sites that may help:

General Medical Council – www.gmc-uk.org

Check the registration of your GPs, as well as find advice on matters like revalidation, confidentiality, medical ethics and advertising.

British Medical Association – www.bma.org.uk

A resource for all aspects of general practice, but does require a membership number to access the full site.

Care Quality Commission – www.cqc.org.uk

Publishes extensive guides to registration, inspections and full reports for all practice visits.

Medical Defence Union – www.themdu.com

Gives advice on CQC inspections, Fitness to Practise, Confidentiality amongst other things.

NHS Employers – www.nhsemployers.org

Gives access to the information on NHS pay scales, the GP contract, the Quality Framework and Enhanced Services.

NHS England – www.england.nhs.uk

Gives information about the GP contract and the latest visions of NHS England.

NHS Business Authority – Prescription Services – www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk

Gives access to the Drug Tariff and the ePact data for your practice.

NHS Pension Services – www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk

Offers advice for employers and employees on the Pension Services website.

Use Keywords

To make your internet searching quicker and more effective, you need to use the right keywords to bring up the relevant search. Keep your keyword searches as succinct and direct as possible to get the most accurate search results.

Help, Advice and Forums

The beauty of online, is that there are plenty of websites offering readily available help and advice to GP Practice Managers. Some are free like Practice Index www.practiceindex.co.uk, while others charge membership fees. Many of these sites offer advice through forums and articles, but also provide reference sites like those provided by Local Medical Committees, such as www.wessexlmcs.com.

Websites like UNISON, ACAS, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or the Government website, have useful information on employment rights, pensions, health and safety and other government legislation.

Other Useful Sites

There are numerous online resources available, but here are a handful of more obscure sites where you can find NHS logos, locum doctors and nurses as well as training courses and advice:

NHS Identity – www.nhsidentity.nhs.uk

NHS Professionals – www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk

Primary Care Support England – www.pcse.england.nhs.uk

You can also find plenty more useful websites and references on the Practice Index website, as well as links to sites in the Practice Manager’s Dictionary in the resources section.

In summary, time spent in research and planning can help you get the job done and make best use of limited resources.