Insight

Cogora produces hard-hitting research and investigations into primary and secondary healthcare. We reach over 590,000 healthcare professionals, our readership surveys receive more than 2,500 responses, and we have access to well over 250 pieces of data for every GP practice in England. Through this reach and engagement, we produce content that influence the highest tiers of policymakers. We do this through our whitepapers, roundtables and our brands’ investigations and analyses.

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Whitepapers Roundtables Investigations

The power of practice nurses

Nursing in Practice explores the value of general practice nurses within primary care as their remit evolves within the changing NHS landscape. It highlights how their central role in prescribing and the purchasing of medicines as well as their strong relationship with patients makes GPNs a high-value audience for industry.

Nursing in Practice explores the value of general practice nurses within primary care as their remit evolves within the changing NHS landscape. It highlights how their central role in prescribing and the purchasing of medicines as well as their strong relationship with patients makes GPNs a high-value audience for industry.

Digital transformation: How PCNs are making the most of new technology

With 398 digital transformation leads now employed by PCNs across England, five PCN leaders discuss how these roles are shaping networks nationwide, the challenges faced so far, and the opportunities emerging from the surge in digital technologies.

With 398 digital transformation leads now employed by PCNs across England, five PCN leaders discuss how these roles are shaping networks nationwide, the challenges faced so far, and the opportunities emerging from the surge in digital technologies.

Renovate, revamp, develop – a guide to improving GP premises

Management in Practice developed an expert-written handbook to help GP practices navigate the complex processes of extending or renovating their surgery. As GP surgeries are getting busier, premises are becoming more cramped and outdated. The decision to renovate, extend or upgrade a practice’s building isn’t a simple one, however. Despite the benefits of expanding a practice, projects such as these require a huge amount of time and energy, as there many issues and stages to think through.

Management in Practice developed an expert-written handbook to help GP practices navigate the complex processes of extending or renovating their surgery. As GP surgeries are getting busier, premises are becoming more cramped and outdated. The decision to renovate, extend or upgrade a practice’s building isn’t a simple one, however. Despite the benefits of expanding a practice, projects such as these require a huge amount of time and energy, as there many issues and stages to think through.

General practice nurse pay: A salary survey of the profession 2025

Nursing in Practice and Management in Practice produced a nursing salary survey report to help both nurses and their employers, GP practices, gain clear insight into this vital issue. The report, based on a survey of 552 respondents that hold general practice nurse roles, compiles data on pay and benefits of this group of professionals. It offers key insight for practice managers, including on average pay according to different roles, regions and Agenda for Change bands, as well as on job satisfaction and nurses’ intentions to stay or leave their jobs.

Nursing in Practice and Management in Practice produced a nursing salary survey report to help both nurses and their employers, GP practices, gain clear insight into this vital issue. The report, based on a survey of 552 respondents that hold general practice nurse roles, compiles data on pay and benefits of this group of professionals. It offers key insight for practice managers, including on average pay according to different roles, regions and Agenda for Change bands, as well as on job satisfaction and nurses’ intentions to stay or leave their jobs.

Respiratory conditions: a system approach

Healthcare Leader’s roundtable brings together system leaders and experts to discuss respiratory disease which is the third biggest cause of death in England (after cancer and cardiovascular disease). ICBs have a duty to reduce health inequalities by supporting better access and improved outcomes. Incidence and mortality rates from respiratory disease are higher in disadvantaged groups and areas of social deprivation, with the gap widening and leading to worse health outcomes.

Healthcare Leader’s roundtable brings together system leaders and experts to discuss respiratory disease which is the third biggest cause of death in England (after cancer and cardiovascular disease). ICBs have a duty to reduce health inequalities by supporting better access and improved outcomes. Incidence and mortality rates from respiratory disease are higher in disadvantaged groups and areas of social deprivation, with the gap widening and leading to worse health outcomes.

General Practice Workforce

This seminal white paper involved a survey of 2,300 primary care professionals, interviews with more than 150 and analysed more than 250 pieces of data on every GP practice in England. Its Parliament launch in January 2025 was attended by leaders across primary care. It has been used in negotiations for the GP and nursing contract, discussed within NHS England and was picked up across national and local media.

This seminal white paper involved a survey of 2,300 primary care professionals, interviews with more than 150 and analysed more than 250 pieces of data on every GP practice in England. Its Parliament launch in January 2025 was attended by leaders across primary care. It has been used in negotiations for the GP and nursing contract, discussed within NHS England and was picked up across national and local media.

The role of pharmacy in the system

To mark the anniversary of Pharmacy First, pharmacy leads from integrated care boards and representatives from the National Pharmacy Association discussed dynamics between the sector and the wider system.

To mark the anniversary of Pharmacy First, pharmacy leads from integrated care boards and representatives from the National Pharmacy Association discussed dynamics between the sector and the wider system.

Health inequalities: How PCNs are tackling this issue

Clinical directors of primary care networks discussed the outreach work they are doing for vulnerable patients, such as those experiencing homelessness, drug and alcohol dependence, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and sex workers.

Clinical directors of primary care networks discussed the outreach work they are doing for vulnerable patients, such as those experiencing homelessness, drug and alcohol dependence, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and sex workers.

The State of Primary Care: A PCN Evaluation

This cross-brand collaboration brought together the voices of more than 1,700 health care professionals including GPs, clinical directors, nurses, pharmacists and practice managers to look at the impact primary care networks have had on the sector.

This cross-brand collaboration brought together the voices of more than 1,700 health care professionals including GPs, clinical directors, nurses, pharmacists and practice managers to look at the impact primary care networks have had on the sector.

NHS Insight Report. Our Audiences and Our Brands

Cogora conducted a survey of 1,800 healthcare professionals working across primary and secondary care to reveal how the introduction of primary care networks and integrated care boards have affected their roles and show how we have adapted our brands to reflect the changes.

Cogora conducted a survey of 1,800 healthcare professionals working across primary and secondary care to reveal how the introduction of primary care networks and integrated care boards have affected their roles and show how we have adapted our brands to reflect the changes.

Pharmacy closures

The Pharmacist was able to reveal that more than 1,200 pharmacies had closed, findings which the shadow pharmacy minister describing as ‘shocking’. This investigation helped win Pharmacist senior reporter Joanna Robertson Pharmacy Writer of the Year.

The Pharmacist was able to reveal that more than 1,200 pharmacies had closed, findings which the shadow pharmacy minister describing as ‘shocking’. This investigation helped win Pharmacist senior reporter Joanna Robertson Pharmacy Writer of the Year.

The rise of the physician associates

Physician associates were the big topic of 2024, and Pulse’s ‘seminal’ (as described by the BMA GP Committee chair) eight-part investigation provided the most comprehensive study into how the role is being implemented in general practice.

Physician associates were the big topic of 2024, and Pulse’s ‘seminal’ (as described by the BMA GP Committee chair) eight-part investigation provided the most comprehensive study into how the role is being implemented in general practice.

Countdown to NetZero: Climate change and the NHS

Healthcare Leader took an in-depth look at what NHS systems are doing to reach net zero emissions target by 2040, including interviews with the head of sustainability at NHS Supply Chain and director of SEE Sustainability.

Healthcare Leader took an in-depth look at what NHS systems are doing to reach net zero emissions target by 2040, including interviews with the head of sustainability at NHS Supply Chain and director of SEE Sustainability.

Sexism in general practice

Pulse’s six-part investigation – based on a special survey of 700 female GPs – looked into the wider issue of sexism in general practice, from comments by patients to female GPs being overlooked for partnerships.

Pulse’s six-part investigation – based on a special survey of 700 female GPs – looked into the wider issue of sexism in general practice, from comments by patients to female GPs being overlooked for partnerships.

Cardiovascular disease: implementing the CVD diagnosis and prevention service

Six primary care network clinical directors joined Pulse PCN in support of the British Heart Foundation’s heart health month to discuss how GPs are actively finding hypertensive patients before a potential heart attack or stroke.

Six primary care network clinical directors joined Pulse PCN in support of the British Heart Foundation’s heart health month to discuss how GPs are actively finding hypertensive patients before a potential heart attack or stroke.

Practice Manager Salary Survey 2023/2024

The report was based on a survey of almost 1,000 practice managers revealing for the first time how much they’re earning, their budgetary responsibilities and the growing demands of their role, as well as expert-written guides and tips on topics including how to ask for a pay rise.

The report was based on a survey of almost 1,000 practice managers revealing for the first time how much they’re earning, their budgetary responsibilities and the growing demands of their role, as well as expert-written guides and tips on topics including how to ask for a pay rise.

The GP Nurse manifesto

Ahead of the 2024 general election, Nursing in Practice developed its own manifesto for practice nursing, convening a series of roundtables with profession leaders, discussing issues such as recruitment, pay, wellbeing, health inequalities and mental health.

Ahead of the 2024 general election, Nursing in Practice developed its own manifesto for practice nursing, convening a series of roundtables with profession leaders, discussing issues such as recruitment, pay, wellbeing, health inequalities and mental health.

The Rise of the Machines: AI, digital and data in healthcare

This report featured findings from Healthcare Leader’s October 2023 survey – which highlighted the tension between the positive attitudes to AI set against the concerns around data sharing -and interviews with industry leaders from Microsoft and BT, and integrated care board officials.

This report featured findings from Healthcare Leader’s October 2023 survey – which highlighted the tension between the positive attitudes to AI set against the concerns around data sharing -and interviews with industry leaders from Microsoft and BT, and integrated care board officials.

General Practice Across the World

The numbers of GPs looking to move abroad are constantly on the rise, and Pulse’s analysis of the profession in different countries revealed that the grass may actually be greener elsewhere for UK GPs.

The numbers of GPs looking to move abroad are constantly on the rise, and Pulse’s analysis of the profession in different countries revealed that the grass may actually be greener elsewhere for UK GPs.

GP abuse

Pulse has led the way with revealing the abuse faced by GPs and their staff from patients, and this investigation uncovered crime stats and survey results that showed the extent of the problem.

Pulse has led the way with revealing the abuse faced by GPs and their staff from patients, and this investigation uncovered crime stats and survey results that showed the extent of the problem.

Structured medication reviews: How they are working in PCNs

Six primary care network pharmacy leads and clinical directors gave their verdict on structured medication reviews, their effects on patients and how they have helped primary care

Six primary care network pharmacy leads and clinical directors gave their verdict on structured medication reviews, their effects on patients and how they have helped primary care

Early cancer diagnosis: PCN leaders discuss the challenges

GP experts and PCN cancer leads came together for Pulse PCN to discuss challenges and progress on the early cancer diagnosis contract specification introduced in 2020.

GP experts and PCN cancer leads came together for Pulse PCN to discuss challenges and progress on the early cancer diagnosis contract specification introduced in 2020.

May the workforce be with you: What primary care wants

This report brought together opinions from leaders in general practice, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, and nursing, to look at the current issues around workforce concerning each profession and what solutions they expect from the incumbent integrated care boards.

This report brought together opinions from leaders in general practice, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, and nursing, to look at the current issues around workforce concerning each profession and what solutions they expect from the incumbent integrated care boards.

Lost Practices

This multi-award-winning investigation looked at the practices that shut their doors for good, and was featured on the front page of the Telegraph, as well as on ITV/Channel 5 news and across the national media. The figures were cited at the Labour Party Conference. It won awards from the Medical Journalists Association and British Society of Magazine Editors.

This multi-award-winning investigation looked at the practices that shut their doors for good, and was featured on the front page of the Telegraph, as well as on ITV/Channel 5 news and across the national media. The figures were cited at the Labour Party Conference. It won awards from the Medical Journalists Association and British Society of Magazine Editors.