Pulse in Focus Podcast: Could GPs actually go private? Why are GPs rethinking LESs?

The new episode of Pulse in Focus: The Podcast for GPs discusses the BMA’s decision to ballot GPs in England on a ‘plan B’ or an alternative model of general practice.

Pulse senior journalist Maya Dhillon is joined by deputy news editor Anna Colivicchi and editor-in-chief Jaimie Kaffash to look at where this has come from, what it shows about the profession’s mood and how likely an exit from the NHS actually is.

The group reflect on what ‘doing a dentist’ could actually look like, as well as talking to Dr Maitiú O’Faoláin – vice chair of the GP committee of the Irish Medical Organisation – about what GPs here could learn about the Republic of Ireland’s mixed model of private and state-funded general practice.

Editorial adviser Dr Keith Hopcroft is joined by Professor Celia Gregson, professor of clinical epidemiology and chair of the National Osteoporosis Guideline Group, to discuss new research on the use of vitamin D and calcium supplements for fracture prevention.

Reporter Harry Hetherington stops by to talk about his new investigation into local enhanced services across England. He explains the threefold ‘LES Lottery’ he uncovered through data, explaining the variation for services across ICBs and why GPs continue to carry out underfunded LESs.

And we round off the episode with a quickfire clinical round-up with the biggest stories this month: the final recommendations for prostate cancer screening in the general population; a name change for polycystic ovary syndrome; and uptake in combined asthma inhalers since an update in NICE guidance.

Pulse in Focus: The Podcast for GPs is hosted on Buzzsprout but you can find it wherever you get your podcasts. Listen to the full episcode here.

Pulse provides an indispensable and comprehensive range of trusted content that meets the needs of all GPs, through its political and financial news, cutting-edge investigations, clinical updates or practical business advice. Last month, the podcast reported exclusively from Pulse LIVE London. Pulse’s editorial adviser Dr Keith Hopcroft took us through his favourite clinical sessions, and Pulse editor Sofia Lind gave us the highlights from her Big Interview with Baroness Clare Gerada.