Long COVID: What is it and how can GPs help their patients?
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data show that as of 31st October, an estimated 1.2 million people (1.9% of the population) reported having long COVID. About a third of those still had ongoing symptoms at least a year after their initial infection. The vast...
Menopausal symptoms: Awareness is growing among patients and GPs
Over the past year, increasing media attention on women’s health and the menopause has had a striking impact on women’s awareness of these important issues. With celebrities like Davina McCall talking openly about their experiences of menopause, and MPs debating the...
Primary Care Networks: Areas of focus for 2021/22
On 23 August, NHS England (NHSE) published a letter outlining plans for primary care networks (PCNs) in 2021/22 and 2022/23. Recognising the pressures currently faced by general practice, the letter confirmed a gradual introduction of new PCN service requirements,...
COVID-19 vaccine booster programme: JCVI advice
With autumn and winter approaching, COVID-19 continues to circulate in the UK. In England, the infection rate appears relatively stable, reflecting the remarkable success of the vaccination programme to date. Over 80% of people are now fully vaccinated, with a high...
Proposed changes in the Health and Care Bill: Impact for primary care and GPs
GPs are stretched to the limit, experiencing pressure from escalating workloads and a shortage of staff. This may feel a difficult time to overhaul the way that the NHS runs. However, the Health and Care Bill was introduced to Parliament on 6 July, which sets out...
Advice for locum GPs – How to access the Welsh state-backed indemnity scheme
Since 2019, GPs providing NHS services in England and Wales have been automatically covered against clinical negligence claims by state-backed indemnity schemes. However, from December 2020, locum GPs working in Wales have been required to sign up to the Locum Hub...
Recognition and management of sepsis in General Practice
Although sepsis is rare, it is a life-threatening condition and patients can deteriorate rapidly. GPs must be vigilant for signs and symptoms, and know what to do when they encounter it. When sepsis is suspected in a patient at high risk, they must be referred to...
Telephone triage systems: how to avoid the pitfalls
Telephone triage has been defined as ‘prioritising client’s health problems according to their urgency, educating and advising clients and making safe, effective and appropriate decisions’. It is a complex clinical skill. As GP practices moved rapidly to a ‘total...
GP practice requirements for safeguarding information disclosure
Patients need confidence that they can trust their doctors, not only with their health, but also with their personal data. Any breach of patients’ confidential information is likely to be damaging for public trust. However, appropriate sharing of patient information...
Reducing risk when prescribing controlled drugs
Updated guidance from the General Medical Council (GMC) on Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices came into force in April, which emphasises limits on the prescribing of controlled drugs to reduce the risk of harm. This guidance is important...
Professional recognition of European GP qualifications after Brexit
The UK formally left the EU on 31 January 2020, entering into a tense transition period during which a long-term trade relationship was negotiated. After much uncertainty, the two sides eventually struck a deal and the EU-UK trade and co-operation agreement took...
Expanding your GP Practice team – Update on the additional roles reimbursement scheme
The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) is designed to expand the primary care work force and enable more proactive, personalised and integrated health and social care. Through the scheme, Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are entitled to access funding to recruit...