October was a busy month at Practice Index with so much happening! Catch up on anything you missed across our blogs, PLUS, the HUB and our latest new release.

Best of our blogs

The HR Package from Practice Index has arrived! – We are proud to launch our new HR Package, which works seamlessly with Holiday Manager and allows you to manage HR processes from start to finish – from onboarding to off-boarding and everything in between. Read more

What the fog? – By Ceri Gardener – When I used to think of Davina McCall, I’d conjure up an image of an over-enthusiastic MTV VJ (Video Jockey for the youngsters among us) or an excitable host of Big Brother. Now I associate the menopause with her for several reasons – mainly for speaking out about it and removing the stigma. But, also, how does she manage to look that good? Where is her menopausal spare tyre and hairy chin?! Read more

Employees accessing their pension early – What happens? – By Susi O’Brien – As an HR professional, my natural inclination when people raise questions about pensions is to hide under the table and hope no one notices me. Speaking to Practice Managers, reading forum posts and answering questions on Practice Index‘s HR Help service has highlighted various questions related to the terms and conditions of staff who access their pension benefits whilst still employed. Read more

Freedom to speak up – October is Speak Up Month, a time to raise awareness about the NHS ‘Speak Up / Listen Up’ goals, and to highlight the important role that Freedom to Speak Up Guardians play in the NHS. Read more

The five-minute Practice Manager – Reduce the burden of invoice checking – Saving you time with a new idea around delegation of onerous tasks, and tips for quick audits to keep an eye on things without too much involvement on your part. Read more

New digital and online services requirements – What it means for practices – Currently, front and centre of NHS England’s activity is a drive for all practices to offer every patient in England access to a digital-first primary care offer. In short, this means practices are required to “offer and promote” to their patients (and those acting on their behalf) the following… Read more

Popular new and updated resources [PLUS]

• Parental bereavement leave and pay policy (Northern Ireland)
• Grievance policy and procedure (Northern Ireland)
• Recruitment – Right to work in the UK – Guide to checks
• Recruitment – Conditional offer of employment
• Parental bereavement leave and pay policy (England)
• Pandemic management policy (Wales)
• Pandemic management policy
• Duty of candour policy
• Friends and family test
• Chaperone policy
• Recording of drug allergies

Popular forum threads

• Crocgate…
• Patients going private
• Do you offer anything for long service?
• Global sum improvement to support practices in 6% pay increase
• Annual leave entitlement when sessions are reduced?
• What do you do to maximise practice income?
• Clearly defined roles
• Living abroad for 6-9 months

New to Practice Index Training

• Making Every Contact Count

Practice Index Learning Package

New

• Conflict Resolution (Wales)
• Sepsis (Wales)
• Significant Events (Wales)
• Safeguarding – Enhanced (Wales)
• Learning Disability and Autism Awareness (Tier 1 & 2) (Wales)

Updated

 New features in the HUB

• CQC Manager –  You can now switch from KLOE to QS (Quality Statements). Please see guide here.
• CQC Manager – More evidence types have been added including Noticeboard, Safety Alert, H&S Alert, Compliment, Criticism and Library.
• Holiday Manager – Updated to include automatic TOIL processing, when linked with Timesheet Manager.
• HR Alerts Manager –  You can now keep up-to-date with all the latest employment guidance and legislation affecting general practice.
• HR Records Manager –  Add staff and next of kin details, along with vital HR information.
• Timesheet Manager – Easily manage overtime and TOIL processes. Works with Holiday Manager to ensure no double counting or discrepancies and reduces administration time.
• Help Centre – A compilation of FAQs, useful videos, and information on our HUB products.
• HUB weekly support sessions – Join one of our weekly sessions to discover more about the HUB and what it can offer.

Further updates can be found here.

If you’d like to know more about Practice Index PLUS and any products in the HUB, you can book a demo here.