GPs face rising levels of abuse
As GP practice staff work hard to deal with the post-pandemic backlog in care and provide an unprecedented number of appointments, many are distressed to be facing daily abuse from patients. Such abuse has risen markedly since before the pandemic, with serious...
Latest news on COVID vaccines
Across the UK, removal of the last COVID restrictions is underway. The focus is now on guidance and targeted protection of vulnerable individuals. Unfortunately, with greater freedom from COVID restrictions comes a rising infection level. Figures from the ZOE COVID...
Health Services Safety Investigations Body: An independent patient safety watchdog
The Health and Care Bill that was introduced to Parliament in July 2021 includes proposals for a new, independent patient safety watchdog, the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB). Compared with the existing Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB),...
Functional medicine: An overview
Although functional medicine is not formally recognised in the NHS, it is gaining a wide following from patients and healthcare professionals who believe the approach has value. So, what is functional medicine, and why is it attracting interest? Functional medicine...
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...