The launch of Pharmacy First
Pharmacy First was launched by the government and NHS England on 31 January 2024, as part of the primary care access recovery plan. The scheme enables community pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines for seven common health conditions, so that patients can...
MMR vaccination is a priority for GPs as measles cases rise
Across Europe and the UK, health authorities are warning that urgent measures are required to protect people from measles as it spreads among poorly-immunised populations. In the UK, MMR vaccination coverage is at its lowest for over a decade, and a spike in measles...
Five questions to ask before signing a ‘fit to participate’ certificate
As winter arrives, many GPs will receive requests to certify patients for fitness to participate in winter activities. Given the potential for injuries from skiing, snowboarding, or even more extreme winter sports, GPs should bear in mind that signing without due...
Latest advances in weight management
The world of weight management is evolving, with several interesting developments announced in 2023, including updated National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on pharmacological treatments, referrals for surgery and digital...
Update to Good Medical Practice standards
The General Medical Council (GMC) has updated Good Medical Practice (GMP), the professional standards for all registered UK doctors. The updated guidance places greater emphasis on the behaviours and values needed to create respectful, fair and supportive workplaces...
New cancer waiting times standards for England
NHS England recently announced changes to the cancer waiting times standards that will come into effect from 1 October 2023, supporting the NHS Long Term Plan objectives to improve early cancer diagnosis and cancer survival. The current list of 10 standards will be...
Expansion of the shingles vaccination programme
From 1 September 2023, the shingles vaccination programme will be expanded in England in line with recommendations made by the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in 2019, to ensure that individuals at greatest risk from shingles are vaccinated at...
Removing barriers to effective working between general practice and secondary care
The interface between primary and secondary care is increasingly a source of friction, unnecessary workload and frustration. A recent GPonline survey revealed the extent of the problems regarding GP workload, with 83% of respondents saying that limiting the transfer...
Delivery plan for recovering access to primary care: Key points
NHS England’s ‘Delivery plan for recovering access to primary care, was unveiled on 9 May 2023, with two central ambitions: Tackle the 8am rush and reduce the number of people struggling to contact their practice. For patients to know on the day they contact their...
Dealing with medicines shortages in general practice
Recent months have seen serious shortages of certain HRT products, antibiotics, antidepressants, and other essential medicines, due to a complex interplay of factors, including global supply and distribution issues, high demand, and longer prescription cycles....
Safe working limits for GPs
The GP workforce is experiencing extreme pressure, exacerbated by staff shortages and unprecedented demand from patients with increasingly complex needs. Long working hours and excessive workload are leading to stress, burnout, and low morale. These factors impact on...
Supporting junior doctors in general practice
Junior doctors in England have voted overwhelmingly for strike action as they campaign for increased pay. The 72-hour walkout, on 13–15 March, will include GP trainees, who make up 15% of all junior doctors in England. Therefore, GP practices should be prepared for...