Managing staff who are on long-term sick leave is challenging for Practice Managers. Can we contact them? How long is long enough? How can I get them back to work? In April's HR Clinic, Robyn Clark (aka JacksonR) and Susi O’Brien (HR Help advisor) answered all your questions on this tricky subject. Here is a summary of the questions we received, and the answers given. Do I have to use Occupational Health to manage long-term sickness? I mean, you don’t have to, but I’d STRONGLY advise it! If you’re looking to terminate employment, then a tribunal will expect you to have obtained some form of m ..read more

It’s just two weeks until the Primary Care Show at the NEC in Birmingham, where, in conjunction with the IGPM, we’re hosting an incredible stream of sessions tailored specifically for primary care managers. On day one of the show (Wednesday 15th May), we'd love you to join us in the Business and Management stream, chaired by Kay Keane (Director of the IGPM and Practice Manager at Urban Village Medical Practice) for the following sessions: The new GP contract - What You Need to Know What do the changes in the GP contract mean to you and your practice? We’ll discuss the upcoming changes, t ..read more

Half of regular patients are not getting continuity of care According to a poll conducted by the Liberal Democrats, only about half of regular practice patients are enjoying continuity of care with the same doctor. They found that 47% of adult patients who had seen a doctor more than once in the last few years reported never or “rarely” seeing the same doctor. The party says that patients over the age of 70 should be given access to a named GP, calling for 8,000 more GPs. The Royal College of GPs Chair, Professor Kamila Hawthorne, warned against “arbitrary mandates” of this kind. She said: “W ..read more

A summary of the HR and H&S updates issued in April 2024. HR Updates Red alerts UPDATE: Employment law changes in 2024 (Summary so far) Amber alerts Employer’s failure to ask follow-up questions in investigation leads to unfair dismissal win Green alerts Practice Manager sentenced for stealing £324,000 The post HR and H&S Updates – April 2024 appeared first on GP Practice Management Blog ..read more

On the 30th April 2014, Practice Index Ltd was created. The website launched as the first peer rated supplier directory for primary care in the UK, closely followed by the Practice Managers’ forum and the weekly email newsletter. Follow our journey so far… Over the past decade, Practice Index has grown to become the leading resource for… The post Practice Index is 10! ? appeared first on GP Practice Management Blog ..read more

In recent years, the explosive growth of artificial intelligence or AI-powered applications has brought about a transformative wave across various industries, and healthcare is no exception. Indeed, AI is often touted as the ‘silver bullet’ that could save healthcare, freeing up time across the board, thanks to faster diagnosis, risk prediction and analysis. It’s no surprise, therefore, that numerous AI technologies are already in use in the NHS, and clinicians are trialling (and being trained in the use of) a long list of them. But what about Practice Managers? How are they using this much t ..read more

As the CQC single assessment framework continues to be rolled out to all providers in England, our CQC resources have been revised to reflect the new approach and framework, with the CQC Masterclass: The Perfect Practice, now significantly updated throughout. The CQC Masterclass: The Perfect Practice (part of the Practice Index Learning Package) in the HUB, is comprised of six modules. This includes an introductory module, followed by an in-depth look at each key question. Each subsequent module, focused on the key questions in turn, delves into the meaning of the quality statement ..read more

GP protest action to be coordinated Local health boards have been warned that GPs may take “coordinated” action against the practice contract they have rejected this year. The BMA has now written to all ICBs in England, warning them to prepare for “industrial action”. The letter calls for ICBs to hold discussions with local medical committees to understand what, “if any”, measures may be possible to mitigate against the effects of action. The LMCs should also be invited to discuss the full extent of pressures on practices and their vulnerabilities, according to the letter signed by Dr Katie B ..read more

Another funding storm is on the horizon with the recently announced rise in national practice contract funding for England. For all the people working in general practice, a rise is a rise, but when it amounts to about 2% in the context of an overstretched service, in which some doctors working in other parts of the health service have been awarded double-digit pay rises, it’s easy to feel underwhelmed. Even worse, this uplift to the GMS contract is in dispute and may take months to be agreed as the BMA’s members are considering taking industrial action involving doctors in primary care. In t ..read more

Stress Awareness Month has been running since 1992, each year with a different theme. This year the theme is ‘little by little’, based on the concept that our overall wellbeing can be transformed with small, consistent, positive actions. The Stress Management Society[1]  “…want to emphasise how even the smallest steps taken each day towards self-care and stress reduction can yield significant improvements in mental health over time”. As some of you will know, in my wellbeing blogs I usually focus on looking after you because, as managers and leaders, we tend to forget that we need lookin ..read more