According to Johnny Marshall, GP and director of policy at NHS Confederation, the NHS jargon makes the organisation seem less accessible to the public, and as a result, the organisation is often misunderstood and regarded with apprehension. He raises issues such as ‘out-of-hours-services (out of whose hours?)’, reconfiguration, reform, and bed-blocking, are all examples of … [Read more…]
A pilot project in Sunderland found GP and outpatient visits reduced by a third after patients’ homes were made warmer and cheaper to heat. Family doctors prescribing double glazing and loft insulation for patients living in cold, damp homes can transform lives and cut down the huge sums spent by the NHS on cold-related ill … [Read more…]
Upon finding that the UK Statistics Authority was able to demonstrate how the government could claim GP numbers had risen since it took office, while Labour could insist they had fallen. The National Association of Sessional GPs believes all of these figures are futile because they exclude locums. This is a point that remains unaddressed … [Read more…]
NHS England has admitted to acting unlawfully by not properly involving the public in the commissioning process, as a direct result of this the NHS could be forced to consult patients on all GP contract changes in future. NHS England conceded it had failed to properly involve patients and the public in the decision making … [Read more…]
NHS England has announced proposals to ditch the independent annual review of GP expenses. However, GP leaders have warned that practices could lose out as a result of the decision. Ditching the review would mean the Review body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Renumeration (DDRB) would no longer review practice expenses, leaving the NHS and the … [Read more…]
The NHS will be rolling out a Friends and Family Test (FFT) which allows GPs the freedom to ask specific patients for feedback. This would result in a ‘morale boost’ for the GPs as they have the ability to pick and choose who to approach to take the FFT depending on the GP’s perceived experience … [Read more…]
It has been revealed that Scotland’s health boards are frequently flying in doctors from distant countries such as Pakistan, Nigeria and even Australia, in order to help the NHS manage increasing demands on the healthcare system. The Sunday Express investigation found that millions of pounds are being spent annually to cover travel expenses and bumper … [Read more…]
CQC gives service the thumbs up Care Quality Commission inspectors reveal that GO out of hours care across England is improving, although weaknesses are still apparent in some areas. The review of 30 services, which covers a third of the population, highlighted problems with recruitment processes and medicines management, although generally concluding that services were … [Read more…]
90% of GP’s are over the retirement age The Royal College of GP’s have revealed that hundreds of GP practices could be forced to close, due to the number of doctors hitting retirement age. The analysis has shown that more than 90% of GP’s are aged over 60, and with the average retirement age at … [Read more…]
Prime Minister strives for more flexibility Prime Minister David Cameron has declared that everyone across England will have access to GP services seven days a week by 2020. The Conservative leader has announced that a further £100 million from April 2015 will be used towards a fund that was initiated last year to increase flexibility … [Read more…]