Talking General Practice

This week the GPonline team discusses the BMA’s vision for how to rebuild general practice in England, what both the BMA and the RCGP want from the new government and how the BMA’s ballot on collective action – which closes on Monday – plays into all of this.They also talk about what happens next for physician associates in general practice after a new poll shows public confusion of the role and the RCGP called for a halt to recruitment of PAs in general practice last month.Our good news story this week is about a GP who was awarded the contract to run her practice after a three-and-a-half year battle.This episode was presented by GPonlne editor Emma Bower, deputy editor Nick Bostock and senior reporter Kimberley Hackett. It was produced by Czarina Deen.Useful linksBMA vision to rebuild general practiceGP leaders unveil blueprint to 'fix general practice' and end unemployment crisisICBs told to prepare for knock-on impact of GP collective actionOnly half of patients know the difference between doctors and physician associatesRCGP demands halt to recruitment of physician associates amid safety fears

Dr Emma Ryan, a GP in South East London and the Royal College of GPs clinical champion for gambling harms, explains the role general practice can play in tackling problem gambling and gambling harms.In this conversation Emma talks about the impact problem gambling can have on individuals and their families, recommendations from NICE’s new guidance on gambling harms and why GPs should ask patients about their gambling habits.She also talks about the support available for patients, a new educational resource on gambling that she’s developed for the RCGP, and what support practices themselves can provide to patients.This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen.Useful links●     RCGP Gambling Harms Hub●     Why GPs should be on the front line of the fight against gambling harm●     GPs should routinely ask patients about gambling, says draft NICE guidance●     NICE’s draft guidance on harmful gambling

This week Emma talks to Tim Gardner, assistant director of policy at the Health Foundation think tank, about what a new Labour government could mean for general practice and the rest of the NHS.They discuss Labour’s plans to shift a greater share of NHS funding to primary care and what that could mean for general practice, what the government needs to do to bring down the NHS waiting list, and whether it can do anything to avert collective action by GPs.Tim also explains where the new government might look to for quick wins on the NHS to show progress in its first 100 days, what improvements could be delivered through reform alone and whether Labour’s spending plans during the election will add up to make the changes that are needed to the health service.This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful links Streeting commits to increasing general practice share of NHS fundingBMA calls for GP funding to rise to 15% of NHS budget and new 'family doctor charter'RCGP calls on government to overhaul NHS workforce plan to boost GP numbersMost GPs in England back taking collective action, poll suggests

The podcast is out a bit early this week because of the election.In this week’s episode Emma and Nick discuss the BMA ballot on collective action, and look at the case of a practice in Cambridge that has handed back its contract despite having high patient satisfaction scores to explain why funding for general practice is now a critical issue. Nick also explains what action practices could take if the ballot is successful.They also talk about new NHS England pilots, which will be looking at how PCNs can develop new ways of working in general practice.And Emma speaks to GP and Green Party health spokesperson Dr Pallavi Devulapalli who is standing in this week’s general election in South West Norfolk, a seat currently held by former Conservative prime minister Liz Truss.Our good news this week is about some inspiring GPs - as we look at the winners of the RCGP’s Inspire Awards.This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen.Useful linksThe GPs standing to be MPs'Devastated' partners at highly-rated GP practice hand back contractBetter-paid APMS provider to pilot new care model after partners hand back contractGP appointments cap will underpin collective action in general practiceRCGP demands halt to recruitment of physician associates amid safety fearsRCGP recognises achievements of members in its annual Inspire Awards

Emma speaks to Labour’s shadow health and social care secretary Wes Streeting about the party’s plans for general practice if it wins next week’s general election. Mr Streeting discusses what Labour would do to address the GP jobs crisis – which has seen thousands of GPs struggling to find work – and why Labour believes general practice should receive a greater share of the NHS budget. He also explains his views on the GP partnership model, how he hopes to avert possible collective action by GPs this summer and why he thinks general practice has a lot to look forward to if Labour forms the next government. This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen. Useful linksLabour promises 'investment and reform' to bring back family doctorGeneral election: The parties' pledges on general practiceSee all of GPonline’s coverage of the general election

Emma speaks to Nottinghamshire GP Dr Carter Singh from the Rebuild General Practice campaign about what the campaign is hoping to achieve, what it is doing during the general election, and how it hopes to influence the new government.Carter also explains the key issues that he thinks the new government needs to address, the importance of investing in more GPs and his views on the BMA ballot on collective action, which launched this week.This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen.Useful linksRebuild General Practice campaignUnemployment 'scandal' as most job-seeking GPs struggle to find workGeneral election: The parties' pledges on general practiceViewpoint: Technology alone will not solve the problems in general practice – Rebuild General Practice responds to Labour’s plans for technology in the NHSBritain's LMCs co-sign 'unprecedented' letter demanding action to end GP crisis

The GPonline team looks at the GP employment crisis and concerns about what job opportunities await the many GP registrars due to qualify this summer.They highlight the latest news from the general election, discussing the BMA’s manifesto and what the political parties have been saying about general practice in their manifestos. And the talk about GMC regulation of physician associates after the regulator set out some further details about how this will work. Our good news story this week is about a new surgery development in North Yorkshire.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 linksGPonline’s general election coverageThe GPs standing to be MPs in the general electionGP registrar applies to work for Tesco as general practice jobs evaporateBMA calls GP unemployment a ‘national disgrace’ after GP confronts SunakSupervising physician associates – what GPs need to knowDoctors raise over £40,000 for GMC legal challenge over PA and AA regulation

Emma speaks to GP Dr Farnaaz Sharief who is also the chief executive of Manage your Mind which works with NHS and social care staff to help develop mental resilience.Farnaaz talks about mental wellbeing in the NHS, what mental resilience means and why it is so important.She also has lots of practical advice on how people can boost their mental resilience to help them cope with stress and pressures - both inside and outside work, how to support friends and colleagues experiencing stress, what practices and organisations can do to promote wellbeing, and the role coaching can play.This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen.Useful links●     Manage your mind●     Box breathing (link to YouTube)●     The straw breath (link to YouTube).●     Farnaaz’s webinar on wellbeing on MIMS LearningGood Medical PracticeThe updated version of the GMC’s Good Medical Practice is here.

The GPonline team discusses the BMA ballot on collective action, which launches in June and what the general election could mean for that and general practice more widely. They talk about the Royal College of GPs call for an overhaul of GP funding so that it better addresses health inequalities and a wider report the college has produced on how to reverse the inverse care law. And they round up what went on at last week’s UK local medical committees conference.Our good news story this week is about a scheme in London that has been prescribing fruit and veg to patients on low incomes and with long term conditions that has seen some really impressive results.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 linksGPonline’s general election coverageDDRB uplift could leave practices £350m behind 2019 funding, warns GP leaderRCGP demands overhaul of 'all GP funding streams' to cut inequalityRCGP report Breaking the inverse care lawGPonline’s UK LMCs conference coverage