New contract that mandates continuity would make GPs and patients safer, says watchdog

A new GP contract that makes continuity of care an 'essential requirement' for practices could improve patient safety and ease pressure on GPs, a health service watchdog has said.

Safety issues with remote GP consultations 'extremely rare', study shows

Safety incidents are 'extremely rare' in remote GP consultations but risk is higher for some patients, including those with complex or multiple long-term conditions, a study shows.

How to ensure safe remote consultations in your practice

Dr Ellie Mein, medico-legal adviser at the Medical Defence Union (MDU), suggests practices review their procedures for remote consultations to ensure patients with unresolved symptoms are seen face to face.

Government must match consultants' pay offer in new contract for GPs

GPs have warned they could be forced into industrial action if the government fails to deliver a pay uplift for general practice that matches a deal offered to consultants this week.

Is it worth implementing a rent review for your premises?

Healthcare property expert Paula Mace explains how rent reviews work and some of the benefits of triggering a review.

GP leaders vote to scrap APMS contracts in general practice

GP leaders have called for an end to APMS contracts in general practice and said all new or re-tendered GP contracts should be offered as GMS.

Podcast: Where are patients per GP rising fastest, impact of minimum wage rise, premises funding

Safe working limits should be 'red line' in contract talks, LMCs warn

GP leaders have called on the BMA to agree a minimum number of GPs required for a standard population size in general practice - and warned that safe working limits should be a 'red line' in contract talks.

GPs tell BMA to reject taking part in vaccination programmes with reduced fees

GP leaders voted unanimously in favour of the BMA rejecting any future vaccination programmes that have an item of service payment less than previous funding agreements.

Autumn statement offers tax cuts, fit note overhaul and 'nothing for NHS'

The government has pledged to overhaul the fit note system and impose tougher sanctions on benefits claimants, which would see them lose their right to free prescriptions if they fail to engage in back-to-work schemes, in its autumn statement.

How will the minimum wage rise affect GP practices?

GP practices face tens of thousands of pounds in extra costs under plans for a near-10% rise in the minimum wage in 2024.

Recording appointments in general practice

NHS England has issued new guidance on recording appointments in general practice.

Chancellor to investigate delays in GP premises funding from housing development

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has admitted it 'takes too long' for housing development funding to reach GP premises projects and promised to investigate.

Who is new health and social care secretary Victoria Atkins?

Victoria Atkins has been appointed health and social care secretary in a reshuffle that saw Steve Barclay moved on after just over a year in the role. GPonline looks at what we know about the new secretary of state.

GPs demand zero tolerance campaign after knife attack at practice

GP leaders have called for a zero tolerance campaign against violence and abuse towards practice staff after a receptionist was reportedly threatened with a knife.

GPs are 'consultants in general practice', says RCGP

A GP is a 'doctor who is a consultant in general practice', according to a new definition published by the RCGP.

Pharmacists call for more prescription powers to relieve GP pressure

Pharmacy leaders have called for greater powers to alter medications when there are problems with supply to help ease GP workload and improve patient safety.

More than half of IMG GPs have faced racist microaggressions at work

More than half of GPs who are international medical graduates (IMGs) have faced 'everyday racism' at work, a poll shows.

Sharp drop in GP practice funding as COVID income shrinks in 2022/23

Total funding for GP practices in England fell by nearly £10 per patient in 2022/23 compared with the previous year because of a steep drop in COVID-related income.

Collaborating across your PCN on staff issues

Areas where practices within a PCN could collaborate on HR and staff issues, including induction, sharing staff, training and development, and locums.