Pulse in Focus Podcast: Why deprived-area GPs need more funding

The latest episode of Pulse in Focus: The Podcast for GPs explores the argument for increasing deprived-area GP funding; and the opportunities and pitfalls associated with plans for menopause to be added to the NHS Health Check.

Editor-in-chief Jaimie Kaffash and features assistant Maya Dhillon discuss how GP practices with deprived patient populations should be supported, in light of the Government’s announcement of a review into the Carr-Hill funding formula.

Jaimie draws on Pulse’s award-winning ‘Lost Practices‘ investigation which showed that, on average, the GP practices that close for good are in areas with areas of higher deprivation.

The two also reflect on GP and founding member of the Scottish Deep End Project Professor Stewart Mercer’s speech at Pulse LIVE Glasgow, where he addressed delegates about how health inequalities manifest in GP consultations, and what can be done to help both patients and staff in deprived areas.

Pulse clinical adviser Dr Keith Hopcroft is joined by GP and clinical associate professor in women’s health and primary care at the University of Birmingham Dr Sarah Hillman, to mull over the addition of menopause questions to NHS Health Checks.

The pair consider consider what questions should be asked and whether it will it encourage more women to take up the checks. But also whether it is necessary at all, or just a PR move.

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Pulse in Focus: The Podcast for GPs is hosted on Buzzsprout but is available 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, a special podcast episcode was released to mark white paper, Access All Areas, exploring access in general practice.