GP TechLead

From 1 October, GPs in England will once again be in formal dispute with the Government. For some, this may sound like yet another contractual argument, but to those of us working on the frontline, it represents something far more fundamental: the right to deliver care that is safe, sustainable, and properly resourced. The Breaking Point General practice has been stretched to its limits for years. We are delivering record numbers of appointments—millions more than pre-pandemic—with fewer doctors, growing patient lists, and mounting complexity. Every GP knows the daily grind of trying to do more with less, while still giving each patient the attention they deserve. Now, with the latest imposed contract, the Government wants us to take on 24/7 online access and new digital obligations —without proper safeguards or funding. On paper, this looks like progress. In reality, it risks pushing already fragile practices over the edge. The Real Issue Isn’t Access—It’s Safety Let’s be clea...

The 2023/24 GP pay figures are in, and they tell a story of two very different experiences: partners finally saw a strong uplift, while salaried GPs slipped behind in real terms. Both outcomes make sense when you look closer.

Following on from the December announcement from Wes Streeting, some details of the funding has come out finally. The 2025-2026 General Medical Services (GMS) contract introduces significant changes aimed at modernizing general practice in England, enhancing patient access, and improving working conditions for General Practitioners (GPs). This agreement, reached between the government and the British Medical Association (BMA), marks the first contract consensus in four years, signalling a pivotal shift in primary care.

 The BMA’s Push for a 20% Pay Rise for Salaried GPs: What Does It Mean? The British Medical Association (BMA) recently proposed a 20% pay rise for salaried GPs starting next year. This bold request reflects growing concerns about the recruitment and retention of GPs, as well as the increasing pressures on primary care. But how realistic is this proposal, and how much funding is the government likely to provide to support it?

Introduction   As the landscape of general practice continues to evolve, many GPs are exploring portfolio careers, allowing them to diversify their professional experience. One such avenue is occupational health, a field that focuses on the relationship between health and work. Here’s a guide on how you can transition into occupational health as a portfolio GP. 

In a pivotal move that could reshape the landscape of primary care in the UK, Local Medical Committee (LMC) leaders are poised to vote on a highly contentious motion concerning the role of Physician Associates (PAs) in General Practitioner (GP) practices. The motion, which has sparked intense debate among healthcare professionals, seeks to "condemn" the utilization of PAs for any tasks beyond "administrative or simple procedural duties."

In a resounding vote of no confidence, GPs in England have overwhelmingly rejected the proposed contract changes for 2024/25. The British Medical Association (BMA) held a referendum, with a turnout of over 61% and a staggering 99.2% of participating GPs voting "no" to the contract. 

The recent unveiling of the revised GP contract by NHS England has sent shockwaves through the healthcare community, igniting a fierce debate. While some elements of the contract have garnered cautious acceptance, the British Medical Association's General Practitioners Committee (BMA GPC) has expressed strong disapproval of several key points, raising concerns about the potential impact on patient care, workload management, and the overall sustainability of primary care.

The Type 2 NHS Pension Scheme Self-Assessment Form is a critical document for salaried GPs, solo practitioners, and locum providers to accurately report their earnings and contributions to the NHS pension scheme. The 2022-2023 form deadline is upcoming, so I thought a guide might be useful for those struggling to complete it.

The ever-evolving landscape of primary care finds itself at a crossroads when it comes to the role of Physician Associates (PAs). While some hail them as indispensable allies in tackling the physician shortage and improving access to care, others express concerns about potential compromises to quality and the dilution of the doctor-patient relationship. Examining both sides of this debate reveals a complex picture, demanding nuanced solutions rather than simplistic pronouncements.

The proposed 1.9% uplift to the GMS contract in England has ignited concerns within the general practice community, raising critical questions about its impact on both financial sustainability and patient care. Examining the details of this offer and its potential ramifications reveals a complex scenario with far-reaching consequences. 

Beneath the apparent calm of the UK's National Health Service, a low rumble of discontent vibrates between two pillars of primary care: general practitioners (GPs) and the wave of new roles funded by the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS). While both share the noble goal of serving patients, they find themselves on opposing sides of an evolving landscape, where questions of territory, training, and the very definition of "good care" spark ongoing skirmishes.

Working as a General Practitioner with a Special Interest in Vasectomies  Vasectomy is a surgical procedure that sterilizes a man by blocking the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. It is a permanent form of contraception and is one of the most common surgical procedures performed on men. General practitioners (GPs) with a special interest in vasectomies have additional training and experience in performing this procedure. They can provide patients with information about the procedure, answer their questions, and perform the vasectomy safely and effectively. 

The recent announcement of a substantial increase in the minimum wage (up to £11.44 from £10.42) has sent shockwaves through the healthcare sector, particularly among GP partners. While this move aims to uplift the lives of low-income workers, it could inadvertently jeopardize the financial stability of general practices, threatening the very foundation of primary care in the United Kingdom.

The global sum for GP practices in England has been increased from £102.28 to £104.73 per patient, in order to finance a 6% staff uplift. This is roughly a 2.4% increase. Negotiations between the Department of Health and Social Care and the British Medical Association (BMA) concluded last week, and the BMA's GP Committee said they had done so 'satisfactorily'. The global sum is a fixed amount of money that GP practices receive per patient registered with them. It makes up the majority of a practice's income, and is used to fund all aspects of primary care, including staff costs, premises, and equipment.

On the GP social media, locum GPs are angry that they are unable to find jobs because other allied healthcare professionals are undercutting them. Locum GPs are fully qualified GPs who work on a temporary basis, and they are often used to fill gaps in the workforce when a GP is on leave or sick. However, in recent months, there has been a growing trend of allied healthcare professionals, such as nurse practitioners, paramedics and physician assistants, taking on GP roles.

Has the season of strikes ended? In the news, many professions have now ceased their strike action. Teachers have now accepted a 6.5% pay deal meaning they will not strike anymore. Nurses, paramedics and 999 call handlers accepted a 5% pay increase as well as a one off payment to end the strikes. The nurses were actually in favour of continuing to strike but the turn out for their ballot was too low to legally allow more striking. Firefighters didn't strike but they accepted a 7% backdated pay increase and 5% pay increase this year. 

With the whole NHS seemingly crumbling, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that primary care was valiantly holding up a failing system. Emergency departments with long waiting times, paramedics, physiotherapists and nurses striking, junior doctors likely going to strike, waiting times for elective procedures at all time highs - there is only so much this system can take. 

Everyone is striking these days. The train drivers are always doing it. The posties are doing it this month. There are barristers and firemen talking about striking. More interesting in our case is doctors. The government has reccommended a 4.5% pay increase to doctors. However, not to all doctors. GP partners and doctors in training are not included in this deal. 

Been busy with life so not posted for a while, so much has happened in the world since I last posted. Putin has gone true megalomaniac and invaded Ukraine, and if reports are true, they are doing a valiant job holding him back. Things were already very expensive prior to the war due to Covid but with sanctions flying from the western nations to Russia, it has made things like petrol very expensive. Certain foods are also set to rise, with the bulk of sunflower oil and wheat coming from these two countries, things like bread and livestock which need as feed, will become more expensive. Drivers have already noticed, with petrol prices through the roof, I'm sure we're a few weeks away from 200p / litre. Rishi Sunak tried to stem this tide with his announcement today, increasing the NI limit and taking 5p off fuel duty. Covid seems like a long lost friend...