Pulse in Focus Podcast: What does the NHS 10-year plan hold in store for GPs? And are digital rectal exams a thing of the past?

Posted on by Bianca Pettifor

Our latest instalment of Pulse in Focus: The Podcast for GPs is out now and includes a discussion on the Government’s 10-year health plan.

Pulse deputy news editor Anna Colivicchi discusses the Government’s 10-year health plan with features assistant Maya Dhillon. The pair delve into the plan’s aims to reform the NHS and how this will impact general practice.

They are joined by several guests giving their takes on the 10-year plan. Following her widely-shared editorial, editor Sofia Lind argues that the plan’s introductions of two new contracts signals the end for small practices.

Professor Azeem Majeed, head of the department of Primary Care and Public Health at Imperial College London, and Dr Steve Taylor, GP spokesperson for the Doctors’ Association UK, also question the plan’s aims and point out the challenges it might present.

Anna also gives a preview of her brand new miniseries analysing how the 10-year plan will impact the new 2028 GMS contract.

In our clinical section, we are joined again by Pulse editorial adviser and GP Dr Keith Hopcroft. This time, he dissects a recent claim from urologists that GPs no longer need to do a digital rectal exam to test for prostate cancer. He looks at where this has come from, the facts behind it, and what it means for GPs.

Pulse in Focus: The Podcast for GPs is hosted on Buzzsprout but is available wherever you get your podcasts.

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 included an interview with Professor Gillian Leng – leader of the Government-commissioned review into PAs – at Pulse LIVE Birmingham.

Pulse and Management in Practice in the Press: GP practice collective action

Posted on by Bianca Pettifor

Our exclusive survey carried out by Pulse and Management in Practice has been picked up by the national press, revealing that more than four in 10 GP practices are limiting patient appointments as part of collective action to bring about better terms and conditions.

In the survey carried out by Pulse and Management in Practice, we received responses from 660 different GP practices – about one in 10 in England.

The survey revealed that almost three quarters of England’s GPs (70%) are currently taking some form of collective action.

Only 7% said they are not planning on taking part, and 13% are currently still considering which of the BMA-recommended actions they are willing to take.

The survey showed that one of the most common actions taken by practices is limiting appointments per GP, with 41% of practices already having this measure in place, and 29% currently considering implementing it.

A GP partner who wishes to remain anonymous told us that his practice in Huntingdonshire is looking to intensify its action, after having already served notice of voluntary services and stopped rationing referrals.

He said: ‘If the Government does nothing, we may intensify our action. Wes Streeting does not understand how strongly grassroots doctors feel about this. We are looking to intensify our action as the Government appear not to understand our resolve on this issue.’

The survey results from Pulse and Management in Practice were picked up by the Telegraph, the Standard, Daily Mail, Express & Star, and ITV News.

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.

Management in Practice offers the latest incisive news, features, opinions, and business insight, gathered specifically for practice managers, GPs and those with management responsibilities working in GP surgeries.