The latest issue of Pulse looks at the medium and long-term implications of the lockdown.

Demand for GP practices went down at the start of lockdown, at the same time as non-Covid secondary care activity dramatically reduced. But, with measures now being eased, GPs are getting ready for a spike in demand – from patients who were staying away, and those who aren’t able to get specialist appointments.

We also look into the high rates of black, Asian and minority ethnic GPs being affected by the virus, and what various groups are doing to address this. We pay tribute to those GPs who have tragically passed away as a result of the pandemic.

In our clinical section, we focus on managing the impact of Covid-19 on psychiatric problems in primary care, and run our next set of ‘Clinical Crises’, including inflammatory arthritis, new-onset atrial fibrillation, heart failure, potential brain tumour and erythroderma. Plus we have top tips on caring for isolated patients, and tips on remote consulting for MSK.

Elsewhere, we have a debate on whether remote consulting should be the default option post-Covid, a page of positive news and Copperfield’s strangled cry against the hero worship.