Explore every episode of the podcast Talking General Practice
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Katie Bramall on why the new GP contract is unsafe and how GPs can fight back | 05 Mar 2026 | 00:45:36 | |
BMA England GP committee chair Dr Katie Bramall speaks to Emma about the 2026/27 GP contract and the BMA’s referendum on the deal, which launched this week. Katie explains why she thinks the 2026/27 contract is a bad deal for general practice and some of the problems around same-day access, advice and guidance and practice funding. She talks about what happens if GPs reject the deal in the referendum, which may mean the profession begins taking action from as early as 1 April. Katie raises the prospect of a ballot on more serious action that could put practices in breach of their contract later in the summer if there is no movement from the government on the contract. She also talks about the government’s plans for a neighbourhood NHS and how this will affect general practice and explains new BMA guidance on what practices and GPs should be doing now. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links BMA briefing paper on neighbourhoods What's in the GP contract for 2026/27? GP referral change revealed as NHS plays down same-day access impact Viewpoint: Why mandatory advice and guidance risks a patient safety fiasco Why the 2026/27 contract risks increased financial pressure for practices MIMS Learning Live Digital 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What does the 2026/27 GP contract mean for general practice in England? | 27 Feb 2026 | 00:45:45 | |
Nick and Emma explain how the GP contract for 2026/27 in England is set to change, how it will impact on practices and what it means for the current dispute between the BMA and the government. In this episode they talk about what the contract changes mean for practice and PCN finances, and whether the funding increase will make a difference, or boost jobs available for GPs. They also look at a new requirement for same day access for urgent patients, plus changes to the QOF, additional roles reimbursement scheme and how practices are paid for advice and guidance. And they talk about the reaction to the deal and what happens next in the ongoing dispute with the government. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock, It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links What's in the GP contract for 2026/27? - full details of all the changes Contract uplift leaves practices 'treading water' and risks cashflow crisis GP contract funding to rise by £485m in 2026/27 Raid on PCN cash to fund practice-level recruitment as ARRS rules changed New targets on same-day access and obesity in 2026/27 GP contract Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Super partnerships, AI regulation and the future of general practice | 19 Dec 2025 | 00:32:09 | |
Emma speaks to Dr Vish Ratnasuriya, a GP partner and the elected chair of Our Health Partnership, one of the UK’s largest super partnerships. Vish was also recently appointed as a member of the newly formed National Commission for the Regulation of AI in Healthcare. In this episode, Vish explains how Our Health Partnership;s ‘decentralized’ super partnership model helps support practices while retaining local autonomy. He discusses the advantages of working at scale and the shift towards neighborhood working - and shares his views on why general practice needs to lead on this work and the opportunities for moving more care out of hospitals and into the community. He also talks about the huge role technology and AI will play in the future of the NHS. Vish explains what the new national commission aims to achieve and the vital importance of establishing clear rules on liability and safety for new technologies. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links National Commission for the Regulations of AI in Healthcare West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator Quarter of GPs use AI but 'wild west' rollout sparks safety fears Viewpoint: How can general practice make best use of AI? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| GPs reject contract in referendum, plus is general practice moving to a ‘GP-lite’ model? | 05 Apr 2024 | 00:28:06 | |
This week Nick and Emma explain the results of the BMA’s referendum on the GP contract for England in 2024/25 and what happens next. And they talk about whether GPs will be prepared to take industrial action this year – and the types of action they might back – based on results from our own polling. They also discuss whether general practice in England is shifting to a GP-lite model, as many GPs struggle to find work at the same time as £1.4bn of funding a year is pumped into the additional roles reimbursement scheme which provides funding for primary care networks to recruit other healthcare professionals. Nick talks through some of the data linked to this and what it all means. Meanwhile, Emma talks about the latest news on a possible change in the law on assisted dying in Scotland, and they look at the results of the latest British Social Attitudes survey on what the public thinks about the NHS. Our good news story this week is about the rollout of life-changing technology for patients with type 1 diabetes. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links Which forms of industrial action would GPs be prepared to take? Three quarters of GPs prepared to take industrial action, poll suggests Is general practice in England moving to a 'GP-lite' model? Bill that could legalise assisted dying in Scotland introduced Listen to our special episode on assisted dying and what’s being proposed about how the law should change in Scotland here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Taking a different approach to GP retention | 29 Mar 2024 | 00:35:49 | |
This week Emma talks to GP Dr Lucy Henshall and healthcare consultant and former practice manager Penny Flack about their initiative Welcome Back to Work, which helps support GPs back into the workplace if they’ve had less than two years away. In this conversation they explain how Welcome Back to Work helps GPs, the importance of tailoring support to individual doctors, and why we need a much more flexible approach to GP retention than is currently available. They also talk about what GP practices can do to support GPs returning to work and those who may need more flexibility in the way that they work - and the benefits for both employers and doctors of doing this. And how they hope their approach could be scaled up to work across local healthcare systems – or even nationally – to help ensure experienced GPs are not lost to the NHS. Lucy and Penny primarily work in Suffolk but they also work with GPs in other parts of the country as well. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen Useful links Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Defining physician associate roles, a GP Uber driver, Welsh GPs near industrial action | 22 Mar 2024 | 00:31:53 | |
Emma and Nick discuss the debate that’s raging about the use of physician associates in the NHS after the BMA issued new guidance on the tasks PAs should and shouldn’t be doing and the RCGP updated its red lines on the use of PAs in general practice. They also talk again about the struggles GPs are facing finding work as the financial pressures in general practice continue to bite, as well as the results of a new BMA survey of GP registrars about their future career intentions. And they look at what happened at the Welsh LMCs conference recently where GPs called for the BMA to move towards industrial action by GPs in Wales - and also what’s going on in England as we head towards the end of the referendum on the GP contract there. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links Physician associates must never see undifferentiated patients, BMA safety advice warns RCGP expands 'red lines' on use of physician associates in general practice NHS promises clear safety advice for GPs on physician associate role Qualified GP driving for Uber amid chronic shortage of jobs Just two in five GP registrars plan to work in UK general practice, devastating poll reveals Welsh LMCs push for industrial action as ministers warned not to 'devalue general practice' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer on the GP contract and the fight for a better deal for general practice | 15 Mar 2024 | 00:38:11 | |
Emma talks to BMA England GP committee chair Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer about the impact the GP contract for 2024/25 will have, the BMA’s referendum on the deal and what happens next. GPs in England are facing the third consecutive contract imposition and a deal that will deliver just a 1.9% uplift to funding in 2024/25. The BMA last week launched a referendum on the contract and we’re entering a crucial period for the profession that could see GPs head towards industrial action later this year. In this interview Dr Bramall-Stainer explains why she thinks the deal represents an ideological dismantling of NHS general practice, how it could harm practices and patients, and what happened during this year’s contract negotiations. She also talks about what she hopes the referendum will achieve and what happens next, how the BMA’s safe working guidance could help practices in the coming months and how working in partnership with patients could help convince ministers of the need for further investment in general practice ahead of the general election. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links GP concerns have been 'ignored' but referendum offers chance to speak up, says BMA BMA reveals forms of industrial action GPs could take this year What is in the GP contract for 2024/25? GP business model 'non-viable' under 2024/25 contract, warns BMA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| GP contract 2024/25 - are GPs in England heading for industrial action? | 08 Mar 2024 | 00:40:07 | |
This week the GPonline team discusses the GP contract for England for 2024/25. They look at how the contract deal will affect practice finances, as well as some of the other changes it will bring. They also talk about the human impact of underfunding in general practice, which has seen some unemployed locum GPs being forced to use food banks as well as and practices having to cut back services because of funding constraints. They also look at what happens next after the BMA launched its referendum on the deal this week and ask whether GPs in England are heading for industrial action and what that might look like. Our good news story is about plans for same-day access hubs in North West London being shelved. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower, deputy editor Nick Bostcock and senior reporter Kimberley Hackett. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links GPs asked to vote on 2024/25 contract as BMA launches yes/no referendum BMA reveals forms of industrial action GPs could take this year Unemployed locum GPs relying on food banks, BMA council member warns Outstanding practice forced to scale back services due to 'spiralling' costs What is in the GP contract for 2024/25? ICB backs down on same-day access plan after GP and patient outcry Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Making the case for an NHS budget refocused on primary care | 01 Mar 2024 | 00:31:37 | |
This week Emma speaks to Beccy Baird, senior fellow at health think tank the King’s Fund. Beccy is the lead author of a report the King’s Fund published in Feburary called Making care closer to home a reality – refocusing the system to primary and community care. The report looks at what needs to happen to ensure a greater share of NHS funding goes to primary care and community services and we build an NHS that is focused on communities rather than hospitals. The report says that the government's failure to invest in primary care ranks as one of the most significant and long-running failures of NHS policy over the past 30 years. In this interview Beccy explains why we need an NHS that is focused around primary care and community services and why, despite so many policies advocating this shift over the years, this has not happened. She also explains how she thinks we can make that move in future and what needs to happen at a national and local level to make it a reality. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links You can find the full King’s Fund report here. Register for or subscribe to GPonline here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Locum GPs struggle to find work, visa sponsor shortage threatens GP workforce, record appointments | 23 Feb 2024 | 00:29:57 | |
This week the GPonline team looks at the visa challenges facing international medical graduate (IMG) GPs in training and how this could drive them out of the NHS. They also talk about the difficulties locum GPs in England are facing finding work, why this is happening, and how it is affecting rates of pay following a recent survey carried out by GPonline and our sister site GP Business. And they discuss appointment data and patient data for the whole of 2023 and how general practice fared over those 12 months. This week’s good news story is about how a practice has used patient feedback and effective communication about the work they are doing to deliver a massive fall in complaints. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower, deputy editor Nick Bostock and senior news reporter Kimberley Hackett. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links NHS risks losing thousands of new GPs because of visa sponsor shortfall IMG doctors lift the lid on why a generation of GPs may slip away from the NHS How GP practices can become skilled worker visa sponsors More than half of locum GPs in England are struggling to find work GP locum rates fall slightly in England but rise in rest of UK Practices delivered 'an extra month and a half' of appointments last year Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why can’t I see my GP? Writing a book about the GP crisis | 16 Feb 2024 | 00:20:57 | |
Emma speaks to GP and author Dr Ellen Welch about her latest book Why Can’t I See My GP? which was published this month. The book looks at the current state of general practice, why we have reached this point, and puts forward ideas on what needs to be done to address the problems. Along with her own views the book includes personal accounts from GPs and others about their experiences. In this interview Ellen discusses the process of writing the book and why she chose this topic, what she learned during the process of writing it and what she thinks needs to happen to address the current crisis facing general practice. The Doctors Association UK is sending a copy of the book to every MP to raise the alarm about the state of primary care and Ellen also talks about what she hopes this will achieve. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links ● Why Can’t I See My GP (Amazon link) ● Viewpoint: Patients and GPs are unhappy with access to general practice, what's the solution? (from GPonline) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What does the 2024/25 contract offer mean for general practice? | 09 Feb 2024 | 00:28:30 | |
Last week the BMA rejected a contract offer for practices in England that would deliver a 1.9% uplift in funding. In this episode of Talking General Practice the GPonline team looks at what we know about the deal that’s currently on the table. They discuss what a 1.9% funding uplift would mean for practices, what the BMA, grassroots GPs and Labour think about the deal, and what happens next – including whether industrial action could be on the cards. In other news, they look at what’s going on with regulation of physician’s associates and the ongoing debate about their use in the NHS. And this week’s good news is about Northern Ireland. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower, deputy editor Nick Bostock and senior news reporter Kimberley Hackett. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links What do we know about the 2024/25 GP contract offer? 'Insulting' 1.9% uplift threatens £50,000 black hole per average practice Labour says 1.9% GP contract offer ‘devaluing general practice' Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer: It's time to stop ignoring reality - GPs need more funding Most doctors say working with physician associates has increased workload Lords set for full debate on physician associates after pressure from doctors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why good practice managers are more crucial than ever | 02 Feb 2024 | 00:34:26 | |
Robyn Clark is a managing partner in a practice in Gloucestershire and a founder and director of the Institute of General Practice Management. On this episode of Talking General Practice she talks to Emma about the challenges facing practice managers in the current climate, what needs to be done to cut bureaucracy in general practice – including how the QOF needs to change – and what practice managers are hoping to see from the next GP contract. Robyn also explains the current financial pressures facing GP practices, and discusses what NHS England and GP partners should be doing to support managers and recognise the vital role they play. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links Institute of General Practice Management From GPonline Viewpoint: Investment in practice managers is a step towards saving general practice Accreditation for practice managers Find out more about our website GP Business and how to subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| BONUS EPISODE: Understanding genetic kidney risk in South Asian populations - sponsored by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals | 16 Dec 2025 | 00:12:02 | |
In this special bonus episode Talking General Practice speaks to consultant nephrologist Dr Shafi Malik about the heightened risk of genetic kidney conditions among South Asian populations. In this conversation, Dr Malik explains why patients of South Asian origin are more at risk of genetic kidney disease and how common these conditions are. He talks specifically about primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1), the symptoms patients might present with if they have this condition - including recurrent kidney stones - and, as kidney stones are a common presentation, how healthcare professionals can recognise when these cases may warrant further investigation. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. This episode of Talking General Practice has been funded by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and produced in collaboration with GPonline. It is intended for UK healthcare professionals only. Useful links National Kidney Federation – PH1 About Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Alnylam is a leading biopharmaceutical company and the pioneer in RNA interference (RNAi), a revolutionary approach to treating diseases which “silences” the genes that cause or contribute to them. Founded in 2002 by a group of distinguished researchers and biotech leaders, Alnylam has translated the Nobel Prize-winning science of RNAi into an innovative class of medicines, with the belief that the RNAi approach to treating disease has the potential to help people around the world live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| GP funding cuts, problems at the primary care interface, measles concern | 26 Jan 2024 | 00:22:19 | |
In this week’s podcast the team discusses GP funding after analysis by the Liberal Democrats showed a real-terms fall in practice funding during the past four years. Meanwhile, government figures have also shown that the share of NHS funding going to primary care has fallen to an eight-year low. They also talk about problems at the primary care interface - the interface between practices and other parts of the NHS, including hospitals, community services and mental health services – and how it is wasting millions of GP appointments every year. And they look at the latest on measles and MMR vaccine uptake after the UK Health Security Agency last week declared a national incident because of rising cases of measles. Our good news story this week is about the Friends and Family Test. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower, deputy editor Nick Bostock and senior news reporter Kimberley Hackett. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links ● Which ICB areas have seen the largest drops in real-terms GP funding? ● RCGP warning as primary care share of NHS funding hits eight-year low ● Solving NHS 'interface' chaos could save 6m GP appointments a year ● NHS England launches catch-up MMR campaign amid rising measles cases ● GPs told to wear PPE when seeing suspected measles cases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How can we tackle racism in medicine - with Dr Chaand Nagpaul | 19 Jan 2024 | 00:42:20 | |
Talking General Practice speaks to former BMA chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul about the extent of the problem of racism in the medical profession and what we can do to address this. Dr Nagpaul is a London GP, a former chair of the BMA GP committee, and in 2017 he became the first person from an ethnic minority to chair the British Medical Association - a post he held until 2022. While he was chair the BMA set up a national forum for racial and ethnic equality - the first time it had such a group. It also conducted a landmark survey in 2022 to establish the scale of the issue of racism across the medical profession and how it affects doctors’ wellbeing and their careers. In this conversation Dr Nagpaul explains some of the key findings from that survey and what he believes the NHS and the medical profession need to do to tackle racism. He also talks about the impact racism has on doctors and how it affects patient care, how we can address differential attainment in medical exams and disparities in GMC referrals, as well as the importance of having more leaders in medicine from different ethnic groups. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links BMA FREE (forum for racial and ethnic equality) BMA - delivering racial equality in medicine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| GPs face redundancy, GP partners continue to fall, retention schemes scrapped | 12 Jan 2024 | 00:32:54 | |
In our regular news review Emma and Nick discuss a practice in Surrey that is set to make three salaried GPs redundant, and what this tells us about changes in primary care They also talk about the GP workforce, in particular the falling number of GP partners and the impact this might have, and NHS England’s decision to scrap two key GP retention schemes. Our good news story this week highlights those GPs and others from the world of primary care who received New Year Honours. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links ● Practice makes salaried GPs redundant as model shifts to additional roles ● GP partners' income down 20% in a year, BMA poll reveals ● Small increase in GP workforce during past year but partners still falling ● Which ICB areas have the biggest shortages of GP partners? ● RCGP condemns 'disappointing' decision to scrap GP retention schemes ● GPs recognised in New Year Honours Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| General practice finance in 2024 - what GPs need to know | 05 Jan 2024 | 00:36:55 | |
Happy new year! This week Emma is talking to GP partner Dr Tommy Perkins and specialist medical accountant Andy Pow from Medics Money, about the financial year ahead for general practice. Tommy and Andy talk about the current financial pressures GP practices are under, how GP partner income has changed, and the sort of uplift practices might need from this year’s GP contract to help address the shortfalls they’ve experienced in recent years. They also offer lots of useful advice on how practices can start the new year on a sound financial footing, explain what upcoming tax changes will mean for all GPs, and the importance of better financial training for GPs as general practice becomes increasingly complex. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links GP Business Our website GP Business provides practical advice for GP partners and practice managers to help them run their business more effectively. More details here.
From Medics Money Medics Money GP partnership course Medics Money GP registrar Business for GPs course Find a good accountant for doctors (from Medics Money) Find a good independent financial adviser for doctors (from Medics Money)
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| 2023 in review - highlights from our interviews | 29 Dec 2023 | 00:35:48 | |
This week we’re bringing you some highlights from our top interviews of 2023 - and we’ve had some really fantastic guests this year. In this episode you’ll hear from BMA GP committee for England chair Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, Royal College of GPs chair Professor Kamila Hawthorne, NHS England director for health inequalities Professor Bola Owolabi, RCGP Wales chair Dr Rowena Christmas and all-round general practice expert and fellow podcast host Ben Gowland. And between them they’ll be talking about GP contract negotiations, continuity of care, what we can do to retain more GPs, influencing politicians in the run up to next year’s general election, the difference healthcare professionals can make on health inequalities, and the future of primary care networks. Thanks to everyone who’s taken part in Talking General Practice during 2023 - and happy new year to all of our listeners! Don’t forget you can listen to the full versions of all these interviews - and interviews with lots of other brilliant people from the world of primary care by searching in our podcast feed or on our website at GPonline.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Is this the end of the QOF, the impact of an ageing GP workforce, looking ahead to 2024 | 22 Dec 2023 | 00:25:17 | |
This week Emma and Nick look at what happens next for the quality and outcomes framework after the government launched its consultation on the future of incentive payments in general practice. They talk about what the consultation is asking and whether this could mean the end of the QOF? And they discuss an ageing GP workforce and what it means for the stability of GP practices in some parts of England. They also look ahead to next year and some of the key news stories that are likely to be important in 2024. Our good news story this week is about a Christmas delivery to a practice in Shropshire. Merry Christmas to all of our listeners. Useful links Government QOF consultation asks if continuity and access should be incentivised Hundreds of practices on the brink as half their GPs are over retirement age Which ICBs have most GP practices at risk from an ageing workforce? Patient safety fears as one in three practice nurses near retirement GP practice staff moved to tears as patients deliver Christmas tree gift
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| Supporting international medical graduate GPs and GP registrars | 15 Dec 2023 | 00:36:07 | |
This week Emma speaks to Dr Sylvia Kama-Kieghe, a GP from Sheffield who is vice chair of the RCGP South Yorkshire and North Trent Faculty and a chair of the RCGP Northern Faculties International Medical Graduate steering group. They talk about the challenges that international medical graduates - or IMG - GPs face and what the NHS and general practice can do to support them. Around half of the doctors who enter GP training each year are now IMGs, which means they received their initial medical qualification outside the UK. Sylvia herself qualified as a doctor in Nigeria. In this episode she talks about her own move to the UK in 2004, and some of the difficulties IMG doctors face in the UK, including racism, long-standing problems related to visas and the challenges of practising medicine in a completely different country and culture. She also explains why the RCGP Northern Faculties IMG steering group was set up and what it is hoping to achieve, and offers some practical advice on how practices can best support IMG doctors. It was produced by Czarina Deen Useful links IMG group on the RCGP members’ forum E-learning for health’s guide to induction for IMG doctors BMA guide on becoming a tier 2 sponsor for GP practices Most regions of Health Education England will have information for IMG doctors working in their area , including: Yorkshire and the Humber - you can find the IMG guidebook that Sylvia mentioned in the podcast here Information from Health Education Scotland Information from Health Education and Improvement Wales Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Where next for the GP contract, plus Labour’s plan for neighbourhood health centres | 08 Dec 2023 | 00:37:58 | |
This week Emma and Nick look at what we know about what the BMA in England might be looking to achieve in contract negotiations, how the current deal that’s on the table for consultants could affect talks, and whether continuity should be a contractual requirement. They also discuss Labour’s plan for neighbourhood health centres and what the party might want them to achieve. Our good news story this week is about a British GP's success Down Under. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links What questions is the BMA asking GPs to shape its vision for general practice? Next GP contract 'must signal hope', GP committee chair warns Government must match consultants' pay offer in new contract for GPs Labour plans neighbourhood walk-in GP centres open seven days a week New contract that enforces continuity would make GPs and patients safer, says watchdog GP conquers 'Everest of competitive mullet growing' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Supporting neurodivergent doctors and staff in general practice | 01 Dec 2023 | 00:34:09 | |
Emma talks to GPs Dr Beckie Akroyd and Dr Catherine Bell about neurodiversity in the medical profession and what general practice can do to better support doctors and other staff who are neurodivergent. Beckie is the GP Lead for Autistic Doctors International, a support and advocacy organisation, and until recently Catherine was an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Fellow for Derbyshire’s GP Task Force focusing on supporting neurodivergent staff working in general practice. Beckie and Catherine talk about their own experiences of being neurodivergent, the challenges neurodivergent doctors can face, including stigma, and why it is important that we frame neurodiversity positively and focus on what people can do rather than what they can’t. Beckie and Catherine also have lots of practical tips for practices on how they can support neurodivergent staff and advice for anyone listening who may be neurodivergent about how to approach conversations with your employer and places to get additional support. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links Autistic Doctors International Society of Occupational Medicine: Evaluating and supporting neurodifferences at work Catherine’s article on neurodiversity in the general practice workforce - available for RCGP members Beckie and Catherine’s full Linktree with links to all the resources they recommended during their talk at the RCGP conference. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Where are patients per GP rising fastest, impact of minimum wage rise, GP premises funding | 24 Nov 2023 | 00:30:16 | |
Emma and Nick look at the current state of the GP workforce and changes over the past year. We’ve just undertaken a major update of GPonline’s GP Workforce Tracker, which we launched a year ago, and Nick talks through some of the key findings from that work. They talk about the uplift to the minimum wage that is due to happen in April and what this will mean for practice, and discuss GP premises, in particular some of the problems relating to funding reaching practices when there are housing developments in their area. And, following the recent cabinet reshuffle, they look at the arrival of a new secretary of state at the Department of Health and Social Care and what this could mean in the months ahead. Our good news story is about NHS England’s pledge to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links GPonline’s GP Workforce Tracker Where in England are patients per GP rising fastest? GPs fear practice closures as minimum wage hike threatens major rise in costs Chancellor to investigate delays in GP premises funding from housing development Who is new health and social care secretary Victoria Atkins? NHS England sets target to eliminate cervical cancer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Wes Streeting complaint, BMA GP committee split, how GPs are using AI | 12 Dec 2025 | 00:33:09 | |
The GPonline team discusses the ongoing dispute between the government and the BMA GP committee in England after a GP and member of the BMA Council and BMA GP committee reported health and social care secretary Wes Streeting to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards for the language he’s used about the BMA in the dispute. They also look at the internal politics at the BMA itself after a member of the GP committee resigned citing concerns about a 'toxic and unbearable' environment. And they talk about AI in general practice, following a report by the Nuffield Trust think tank and the RCGP about how GPs are using new tech and some of the concerns about how it is being rolled out. Our good news story is about a GP who is bidding to become Christmas number 1 with her song song that forms part of a campaign challenging stigma around women’s anatomy and periods. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower, deputy editor Nick Bostock and senior reporter Kimberley Hackett. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links GP makes formal complaint over Wes Streeting behaviour towards BMA Doctor resigns from BMA England GP committee claiming it is 'toxic and unbearable’ How could 'wider consultation' shape the GP contract for 2026/27? Quarter of GPs use AI but 'wild west' rollout sparks safety fears Viewpoint: How can general practice make best use of AI? Dr Aziza Sesay’s song Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Improving early cancer diagnosis | 17 Nov 2023 | 00:37:16 | |
Emma speaks to Dr Sarah Taylor and Dr Rebecca Leon, who are GPs with a special interest in cancer, about early cancer diagnosis. Both Sarah and Rebecca have portfolio careers and one of their roles is as GP leads at GatewayC, an organisation backed by the NHS in England and Wales and leading cancer charities that is aiming to boost early cancer diagnosis. As part of this work they host the GPs Talk Cancer podcast. In this conversation Sarah and Rebecca explain how the pandemic and the current backlog of care have impacted on cancer diagnosis and treatment, whether the NHS can hit ambitious targets on early cancer diagnosis, and what recent changes to national targets mean. We also talk about inequalities in early cancer diagnosis, new tests to detect cancer early, and the importance of screening. Rebecca and Sarah also have some practical advice based on their own experiences and conversations with experts that can help GPs ensure they don’t miss a cancer diagnosis. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links ● GatewayC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Physician associate concerns, RCGP definition of a GP, LMCs to debate GP contract changes | 10 Nov 2023 | 00:30:10 | |
This week on the podcast Emma and Nick talk about physician associates after the BMA GP committee in England voted in favour of a strongly worded motion that called for an immediate freeze on recruiting these roles in general practice. They also look at plans for regulating PAs by the GMC, which is also causing concern in the medical profession. They also discuss the RCGP’s new definition of what a GP is, and they look ahead to the England local medical committee conference at the end of this month and some of the motions relating to the GP contract that are up for debate. Our good news story this week is about prescribing of DOACs in primary care and the impact this has had on stroke prevention. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links
BMA demands halt to 'increasing trend' of PAs substituting GPs Doctors warn GMC plans to regulate physician associates are 'unsafe' Supervising physician associates – what GPs need to know - advice from the MDU GPs are 'consultants in general practice', says RCGP GP prescribing shift has stopped thousands of strokes, says NHS chief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How health creation can help GP practices tackle inequalities | 03 Nov 2023 | 00:29:33 | |
Emma speaks to Surrey GPs Dr Gillian Orrow, Dr Tabassum Siddiqui and Dr Richard Wright, about how a programme called Growing Health Together, which Gillian co-founded, is helping general practice and other partners in the local health system to tackle health inequalities. One of the key aims of Growing Health Together is to create a more sustainable health and care system, by reducing demand in primary and secondary care through health creation, prevention, and early intervention. It is based on the idea of health creation and this episode looks at what health creation is, some of the local schemes that Growing Health Together has helped to establish and how this is all benefiting local people. Gillian, Tabassum and Richard also explain how this work fits in with what their primary care networks are trying to achieve and the value of GPs having funded time to spend in their local communities to help understand the challenges some of their patients face and work out solutions that can help. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links The YouTube video explaining some of the work Growing Health Together is doing is here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfW5cjpvklU Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| RCGP plan to save general practice, where next for the GP contract, online access to records | 27 Oct 2023 | 00:34:23 | |
Emma and Nick reflect on last week’s RCGP annual conference, in particular the details of the college’s manifesto to save general practice and the Labour party’s reaction to it. They look ahead to what might happen to the GP contract in England as we come towards the end of the current five-year deal, as well as discuss pay rises for practice nurses and the collapse of contract talks in Wales. And they look at online access to patient records, a contractual requirement in England that comes into effect next week, and some of the concerns around this. Our good news story this week is about patient satisfaction with access to general practice. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links Read all the news from the RCGP conference here General practice could see 'new contract for a generation' from 2028 ARRS model should be 'turned on its head', says BMA GP leader Unions warn not all GP practices can afford 6% staff pay rise General practice in Wales 'at risk of collapse' after contract talks break down Remote access to GP records risks domestic abuse survivors' safety, BMA warns Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| RCGP chair Professor Kamila Hawthorne | 18 Oct 2023 | 00:28:14 | |
Talking General Practice speaks to RCGP chair Professor Kamila Hawthorne ahead of the college’s annual conference in Glasgow this week. In this conversation Professor Hawthorne explains what needs to be done to help tackle spiralling workload in general practice, how we can retain more GPs in the workforce and what changes could happen in the short term to help turn the current situation in general practice around. She also talks about how the college hopes to influence political parties in the run up to the next general election, whether the RCGP’s new exam will help tackle differential attainment and why, despite all of the current challenges, general practice is still a great place to work. GPonline at the RCGP annual conference The college will be launching a manifesto for general practice at its conference and you will be able to read more about this on GPonline on Thursday morning. GPonline is delighted to once again be the college’s media partner for the RCGP annual conference, which takes place on 19 and 20 October. We’ll be in Glasgow reporting all the news from the conference - visit www.gponline.com/rcgp This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links ● GPs seeing cases of malnutrition and rickets as cost-of-living crisis hits patient health ● No extra funding for general practice as government unveils £200m winter support ● An introduction to the simulated consultation assessment (SCA) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Have golden hellos revived GP partnerships, GP funding across the UK, flu vaccination | 13 Oct 2023 | 00:24:31 | |
Emma and Nick look at the New to Partnership Scheme – a three-year initiative that aimed to boost the number of partners in England – and ask, has it actually worked? They discuss what’s going on with funding for general practice across the UK and what the uplifts agreed for 2023/24 mean for practices. And they talk about the latest appointment data for general practice in England and what it tells us about the pressure practices are under as we head towards winter. This week’s good news story is about flu vaccination. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links ● Golden hello scheme brings in almost 3,000 new GP partners ● What impact have 'golden hello' payments had on GP partnerships? ● Cashflow warning as 6% uplift money delayed until November ● Northern Ireland GP funding slashed despite 'absolute crisis' ● 'Disappointing' uplift falls short of 6% pay rise promised to GPs in Scotland ● Dispensing practices face cashflow crisis as 'yo-yoing' fees fall sharply ● GP practices delivering 150,000 extra appointments per day compared with 2019 ● Flu vaccination prevented 25,000 hospitalisations last year Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How can general practice adopt greener ways of working? | 06 Oct 2023 | 00:33:31 | |
Emma speaks to London GP and co-chair of Greener Practice, a UK primary care network focused on sustainability, Dr Tamsin Ellis. Along with her Greener Practice role, Tamsin is also a GP associate at the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, an organisation that develops knowledge and resources to help the NHS and other health systems to reach net zero. In this conversation Tamsin discusses some practical steps that practices and clinicians can take to help tackle the climate crisis, including how sustainability and greener approaches can come into play in patient consultations, and the benefits this can bring to practices, GPs, staff and patients. She also explains some of the resources Greener Practice and others have to help GPs, why it’s important that general practice engages with sustainability, and how getting involved in this work can make your practice a better place to work and improve staff wellbeing. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links These are some of the organisations and resources that Tamsin mentions during this interview: ● Centre for Sustainable Healthcare ● UK Health Alliance on Climate Change ● Greener Practice asthma toolkit ● Frome Medical Practice and its work on sustainability ● Outrage and Optimism podcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Spotting GP contract trends, the future of physician associates, cost-of-living impact on patient health | 29 Sep 2023 | 00:23:13 | |
This week Emma and Nick look at some interesting tenders for GP contracts that have been put out for integrated care boards and what they might tell us about the possible direction of travel for general practice and how GP services could be commissioned in future. They discuss physician associates and what role they have to play in the NHS after the BMA published a position statement saying it currently opposes government plans to expand their use. And they talk about how the cost of living crisis is affecting patients and practices after an alarming RCGP survey found that GPs are seeing patients with diseases that should be confined to history including malnutrition and rickets. This week’s good news story is about a survey from the Rebuild General Practice campaign showing how much the general public values general practice. This episode was presented by GPonline’s editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links ● PCN to take on GMS practice contract in landmark move for general practice ● GP 'engineering' fears as small practice contracts offered on branch-only basis ● BMA to oppose expansion of physician associate roles amid safety concerns ● GPs seeing cases of malnutrition and rickets as cost-of-living crisis hits patient health ● Patients back continuity of care and more GP funding, poll shows Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How making your practice a better place to work can improve patient care | 22 Sep 2023 | 00:32:42 | |
This week Emma speaks to Dr Ben Allen, a GP partner at Birley Health Centre in Sheffield. Over the past few years Ben has invested huge amounts of time and effort to make his practice a better place to work. He’s found that by focusing on staff and improving the organisational culture, the practice has seen huge improvements across the board. Along with having a happier workforce with improved morale and staff retention, the practice has also improved continuity and access and seen patient satisfaction scores rising at a time when nationally they are falling. Ben explains how his practice managed to achieve all of this and has advice for any GPs or practice managers thinking of embarking on a similar journey. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links Follow Ben on X (formerly Twitter) Useful reading Ben mentions several leadership and organisational change books that he found particularly helpful during this process. These are some his favourites. ● The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni ● The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni ● Reinventing Organisations by Frédéric Laloux ● Time to Think by Nancy Kline ● Start With Why by Simon Sinek ● Daring Greatly by Brené Brown ● The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R Covey ● Good to Great by Jim Collins ● The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stainer ● Built to Last by James C Collins and Jerry I Porras ● Who by Geoff Smart and Randy Street ● Radical Candor by Kim Scott Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Are GPs really earning more? Plus, how the NHS backlog affects GPs, and practices’ reliance on locums | 15 Sep 2023 | 00:22:41 | |
In our news review Nick and Emma discuss GP pay and what’s behind recent headlines in the national press about so-called huge rises in GP income. They also look at how the growing NHS waiting list and long waits for treatment are affecting patients and driving up workload in general practice, and discuss results from our recent survey which suggest that practices are becoming increasingly reliant on locum GPs. This week’s good news story is about a significant reduction in people prescribed potentially addictive medicines. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links ● How has GP income changed over the past two decades? ● CQC poll shows NHS waiting list driving unsustainable pressure on GPs ● One in three GP appointments for patients on the NHS waiting list ● GP practices growing more reliant on locums but many struggle to hire them ● Where is GP prescribing of dependency-forming drugs falling fastest? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Dr Katie Bramall on navigating the GP dispute, future GP contracts and the 10-year health plan | 05 Dec 2025 | 00:45:32 | |
Emma speaks to Dr Katie Bramall, chair of the BMA’s GP committee in England. In this conversation, Katie talks about the current dispute with the government over online access changes. She responds to the recent letter sent to GPs by health secretary Wes Streeting, which accused her of 'unprofessional behaviour' and misleading the profession over contract changes, and explains why she believes trust between the profession and the government has evaporated. Katie also talks about the next steps in the dispute, explaining why there is no immediate plan for a ballot on industrial action, and discusses her concerns about the 10-year health plan and what this could all mean for future GP contracts. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links How could 'wider consultation' shape the GP contract for 2026/27? Government hails online consultation rollout but ignores impact on practices Timeline: How general practice re-entered dispute with the government GP makes formal complaint over Wes Streeting behaviour towards BMA Subscribe to GPonline If you’re listening to this podcast, you know how fast general practice is moving. To keep up, you need more than just headlines. A GPonline subscription gives you expert analysis on the latest news affecting general practice and how it impacts on you. A subscription to GPonline also gives you access to MIMS for prescribing information, and MIMS Learning to help you complete your CPD. It’s your daily briefing and your education platform in one. Subscribe now at gponline.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How a 'trailblazer' scheme is helping GPs tackle health inequality | 08 Sep 2023 | 00:22:47 | |
The GP Trailblazer Deprivation Fellowship Scheme is an NHS England run programme aimed at newly-qualified GPs working in practices in deprived areas. The scheme aims to give GPs the skills to thrive and make a difference in the practices and communities where they work. The East of England region currently runs one of the largest trailblazer schemes in England. Emma speaks to Dr Rahhiel Riasat, director of leadership development for the East of England and clinical lead for the GP Trailblazer deprivation fellowship scheme in the region, about how the scheme works and how it is supporting local GPs and making a difference to patient care. She also talks to Dr Ahkeb Hussain who is a GP in Luton one of the fellows on this year’s scheme about how it is helping him in practice and what he sees as its benefits. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links ● East of England GP Trailblazer Deprivation Fellowship Scheme ● Fairhealth Trailblazer information ● GP training health equity focused training rotations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Speeding up COVID jabs, Labour's continuity plans, the GP workforce crisis and Good Medical Practice | 01 Sep 2023 | 00:29:59 | |
Our regular news review is back after a short summer break with a packed episode. Emma and Nick discuss a last-minute U-turn on Covid and flu jabs and look at another controversial plan from the Labour party about how it intends to change general practice if it wins the next general election. They also discuss how international medical graduates are becoming critical to the GP workforce in some of the most deprived and underdoctored parts of England - and look at whether doctors feel measures set out in the NHS workforce plan will help address the current shortage of GPs. And they talk about the GMC’s overhaul of its Good Medical Practice guidance. Meanwhile, our good news story is about GP training. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links ● GPs offered extra pay under accelerated flu and COVID-19 jab campaign as new variant spreads ● Labour to strip funding from practices with poor continuity of care ● Overseas doctors sustain general practice in England's most underdoctored and deprived areas ● Just 6% of GPs believe the NHS workforce plan will boost GP numbers ● 6% pay increase not enough to retain salaried GPs and other practice staff, GPs warn ● GMC clamps down on sexual harassment and bullying in Good Medical Practice update Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Championing the unique skills and expertise of general practice | 25 Aug 2023 | 00:28:11 | |
What is a Wise GP? This week Emma speaks to Professor Joanne Reeve and Dr Annabelle Machin about an initiative called Wise GP, which aims to help GPs and other primary care staff deal with the everyday uncertainty and complexity they face in general practice. They explain the importance of recognising the distinct skills and expertise of general practice and how the programme can help GPs at different stages of their career. They also talk about the resources they have developed to support GPs in their day-to-day practice and how Wise GP could potentially help improve GP retention. There are links to many of the resources mentioned by Joanne and Annabelle in the podcast below. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. RCGP conference Joanne and Annabelle are running a session on Wise GP explaining how it could help general practice and GPs tackle some of the challenging issues they face. The conference takes place in Glasgow on 19 and 20 October. You can find more information on this here. Useful links
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Professor Sir David Haslam - how we fix the NHS | 18 Aug 2023 | 00:34:07 | |
Emma is joined by a very special guest Professor Sir David Haslam to discuss his book Side Effects: How Our Healthcare Lost Its Way and How We Fix It. Along with being a GP for over 35 years Sir David has held a number of senior posts including being both chair and president of the Royal College of GPs, president of the BMA and chair of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), a post he held from 2013 to 2019. His book, which was published last year, explores what good healthcare should achieve and how we can create a system that is affordable, fair and provides good quality care. This interview, which was recorded in October 2022, looks at some of the really important themes raised in the book, including why the cost of healthcare will always continue to rise, why we need to better value primary care and public health, tackling health inequalities, over-medicalisation and whether we have our priorities right when it comes to end-of-life care. Produced by Czarina Deen Useful links ● NHS at 75: Primary care-focused 'reboot' can save NHS ● Side Effects: How Our Healthcare Lost Its Way and How We Fix It on Amazon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| BMA GP committee England chair Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer | 11 Aug 2023 | 00:47:03 | |
Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer was elected chair of BMA England’s GP committee just over a week ago and she speaks to Talking General Practice in her first interview in her new role. Dr Bramall-Stainer takes on the top GP job at the BMA in England at a crucial time for the profession. The five-year GP contract comes to an end in April 2024 and this year’s contract negotiations between the BMA, the government and NHS England will hammer out what happens next. General practice is in the midst of an extreme workload and workforce crisis and the profession will be looking for changes that will go some way to addressing both of these challenges and making a difference to their day to day working lives. In this conversation Dr Bramall-Stainer discusses what her key priorities will be, weighs up the chances of GPs taking industrial action in the coming months, as well as how GP funding needs to change. She also talks about her thoughts about the future of the independent contractor model, her experience of publicly calling out sexism at the BMA a couple of years ago and how having MS has shaped how she approaches her role as a GP and a GP leader. This episode is presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links ● What are the top priorities for the new BMA GP committee chair? ● GPs 'despair' as NHS England slashes COVID-19 jab fee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How changing patterns of illness will affect general practice over the next 20 years | 04 Aug 2023 | 00:24:46 | |
Last week the Health Foundation think tank published new research projecting patterns of illness in England over the next two decades. It predicted that by 2040 the number of people with major illness will rise by more than a third, which clearly has huge implications for general practice over the next two decades. In this episode of Talking General Practice, Emma speaks to Toby Watt, the lead economist at the Health Foundation’s REAL Centre and the lead author of the report setting out the research’s findings. This conversation highlights what the report had to say about patterns of illness and why more people will be living for longer with a major condition, how this will affect workload in general practice and what it means for the GP workforce, and what the government will have to consider to meet this challenge. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links From GPonline: ● Practices face massive rise in demand as ageing fuels wave of chronic illness ● How an ageing population is piling pressure on general practice Health Foundation reports: ● Health in 2040: projected patterns of illness in England ● Projections: General practice workforce in England Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Why GP partnerships are still a good option | 28 Jul 2023 | 00:36:55 | |
Emma speaks to GP partner Dr Tommy Perkins and specialist medical accountant Andy Pow from Medics Money about GP partnerships and why they are still a good option despite all the doom and gloom out there. In this conversation Tommy and Andy discuss how partnerships are changing with more non-GPs taking on the role, what to consider if you’re thinking about becoming a partner, how to make partnerships more sustainable in what is a very challenging time, take a quick detour into pensions - with some useful advice for all GPs - and also discuss challenges around premises. This episode is presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links ● Medics Money new to partnership course ● The pensions guide mentioned in the episode ● 7 tips to make partnership sustainable in 2023 ● Medics Money YouTube video showing how to use PCSE portal mentioned in episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| What the 6% pay deal means for general practice, monitoring pressure on practices, GP patient survey results | 21 Jul 2023 | 00:31:28 | |
Emma and Nick discuss last week’s pay announcement for junior doctors, salaried GPs and consultants and ask what it means for GP practices, the current strikes and the wider NHS. They also talk about a new national system for reporting pressure in general practice that has been set up to help overwhelmed practices negotiate extra support and look at the results from the latest GP patient survey. This week’s good news story looks at an initiative in Cumbria that is helping an underdoctored area plug workforce gaps by using a bank of GPs working remotely. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links ● Government to uplift GP contract to cover 6% pay rise for all practice staff ● BMA rejects 6% pay deal with strikes set to continue ● First national 'GP alert state' report reveals unsustainable pressure on practices ● Which areas have the highest patient satisfaction with general practice? ● GP patient survey suggests satisfaction stabilising after sharp drop last year Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How can we save general practice? With BMA Wales GP committee chair Dr Gareth Oelmann | 14 Jul 2023 | 00:23:54 | |
This week Emma is speaking to BMA Wales GP committee chair Dr Gareth Oelmann. At the end of June BMA Wales launched a new ‘Save Our Surgeries’ campaign, which comes at what the BMA warns is a 'defining moment' for general practice. The campaign sets out the worrying state of general practice – and calls on the Welsh government to put in place an urgent rescue package. So how can we save general practice? In this conversation Gareth sets out the challenges facing general practice in Wales, and what the BMA is calling for. He also explains why GP partnerships are worth saving, why the share of NHS funding that goes to general practice needs to increase after well over a decade of serious decline, and upcoming changes to the GP contract in Wales. This episode is presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links ● BMA Wales Save our Surgeries campaign ● Welsh GPs issue 'SOS' call as spiralling crisis threatens patient safety Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Will the NHS workforce plan deliver, GMC 'no confidence' vote, and doctors with long COVID | 07 Jul 2023 | 00:31:35 | |
In this week’s news review, Emma and Nick look at the NHS workforce plan and discuss what it says, what it doesn’t say, and whether it will actually work. They also talk about some of the debates from this week’s BMA annual representative meeting including a vote of no confidence in the GMC and some other motions of interest. And they look at a BMA report on long COVID in the medical profession and the devastating impact the condition has had on some doctors. This week’s good news story is about the RCGP at last weekend’s Pride. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links ● What does the NHS workforce plan mean for general practice? ● NHS heading for 15,000-GP shortfall as Sunak says retention 'not just about pay' ● Doctors will 'strike for as long as it takes', warns BMA chair ● Doctors vote 'no confidence' in GMC and MPTS and demand new leadership ● Doctors with long COVID left 'penniless' as one in five unable to work ● RCGP takes part in London's Pride parade
The NHS at 75 ● NHS at 75: A GP's account of the start of the NHS ● NHS at 75: I dread telling people I'm a GP - we need a government that values us ● NHS at 75: Primary care-focused 'reboot' can save NHS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Are GPs heading for an imposed contract next year, plus what the budget means for general practice | 28 Nov 2025 | 00:30:38 | |
The GPonline team discusses the key news stories affecting general practice. The team talks about GP contract negotiations after the government confirmed it intended to talk to key stakeholders alongside the BMA as part of putting together next year’s deal - and health and social care secretary Wes Streeting wrote to the profession accusing the GP committee chair of lies and unprofessional behaviour. They discuss this week’s budget and what some of the measures outlined by the government could mean for general practice. And Kimberley talks about an article she wrote recently interviewing a GP who has spent time working in Gaza. Our good news story this week is about patients and a neighbouring surgery rallying around to help a practice that was severely affected by flooding in the wake of the recent Storm Claudia. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower, deputy editor Nick Bostock and senior news reporter Kimberley Hackett. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links UK GP shares her experiences of working in war-torn Gaza Streeting accuses BMA GP chair of lies and 'unprofessional' behaviour Timeline: How general practice re-entered dispute with the government What does the autumn budget mean for GPs? Neighbouring surgery and patients rally round GP practice flooded by Storm Claudia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How will AI change general practice? | 30 Jun 2023 | 00:31:44 | |
Emma speaks to GP and academic Dr Ben Brown from the University of Manchester whose research looks at how AI and machine learning could support healthcare professionals and patients. Ben is currently involved in developing a new AI system that helps support triage of GP online consultations and was this year’s winner of the Society for Academic Primary Care’s award for outstanding early career research. Both the government and the Labour Party have touted AI as a possible solution to the NHS’s workforce challenges, arguing it could free up clinicians so they can spend more time with patients. Reports suggest that the long-awaited NHS Workforce plan, which is due to be published imminently, will have a big focus on the role that new technology and AI in particular will play in the NHS over the next 10 years. In this conversation Ben explains exactly what AI is, how it is being used currently in the NHS and its potential for the future. He also discusses how AI could help GPs and their teams manage their workloads, and what a GP consultation could look like in future, when AI is more established. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links More information on the system Ben is developing called PATCHS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| NHS workforce plan, the impact of ‘workload dump’ from hospitals, GMC faces no confidence vote | 23 Jun 2023 | 00:31:24 | |
This week Emma and Nick discuss the government’s long-awaited NHS workforce plan, when it might be published and what general practice will be hoping to see in it. They look at the results from a recent GPonline about inappropriate transfer of work from secondary to primary care and what needs to be done to address this. And they talk about a motion up for debate at next month’s BMA annual representative meeting where delegates will call for a no confidence vote in the GMC – as well as some of the other issues relevant to general practice that will be debated at the meeting. This week’s good news story highlights some of the GPs who received honours in the King’s birthday honours list last weekend. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and news editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deeen. Useful links ● 'Complex' funding questions holding up NHS workforce plan, Barclay admits ● Racism is shrinking the NHS workforce, warns former BMA chair ● GPs call for action on work transfer from hospitals to tackle workload crisis ● GMC faces 'no confidence' vote at BMA annual meeting ● Health leaders demand action on five-year-old pledge to strip GMC of appeal powers ● GPs among those to receive honours in King's birthday list Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| How social prescribing and care navigation can help practices and patients | 16 Jun 2023 | 00:32:45 | |
Emma speaks to Christiana Melam, the chief executive of the National Association of Link Workers, who explains how social prescribing can help practices and GPs to meet demand and better support their patients. Christiana explains why it is so important that the NHS looks at changing the way that it works, given that the current model is not meeting the needs of patients, highlighting the key role that social prescribing can play in prevention and addressing health inequalities. The National Association of Link Workers also trains care navigators and Christiana also talks about what the recent access recovery plan had to say about care navigation and what this means for practices and their reception teams. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links ● National Association of Link Workers - Education standards ● National Academy for Social Prescribing - evidence to support the use of social prescribing ● National Association of Link Workers report - The role of PPGs in social prescribing ● Tailored Primary Care Workforce Development and Wellbeing Packages from NALW Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||