News
Our latest national policy news and analysis now lives in our community (see below). Sessional GPs can join for free to read, react, and discuss together. You can still browse our archived news articles here.
GP locums urged to vote on primary care networks DES to protect GP funding, BMA says
GPs in England are being urged to use their vote on a new directed enhanced service (DES) about primary care networks (PCN).
Welsh GP locums free to keep using LocumDeck after NASGP campaign against ‘banks’
A spokesman for the Welsh health department confirmed that “a locum can choose to book sessions ... through other arrangements”.
GPs warn of high levels of staff sick leave absence
NASGP chair Dr Richard Fieldhouse said “It’s highly likely locums will get asked to work at very short notice to backfill other GPs who’re being deployed to vaccinations clinics."
‘Autumn deadline’ for UK’s Covid-19 vaccinations, health sec promises
Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show on Sunday 10 Jan, Matt Hancock said: “Every adult will be offered a vaccine by the autumn, absolutely."
GP locums ‘due Covid-19 vaccination by mid-February’: health secretary
NHS England has published a letter setting out an 'immediate' requirement for all health and social care staff to receive vaccinations.
GPs put their lives on the line because of PPE shortages in first wave, BMA chair tells MPs
NHS Providers reported on an ‘extremely worrying surge in COVID-19 admissions’ last week.
GPs report ‘random’ approach to Covid-19 vaccination for doctors
Want to find out how to get your vaccine? Stay up to date with the most recent news by joining the NASGP today.
Gov ‘needs to learn lessons’ from Test and Trace, warns Audit Office
The NAO will assess the value for money of Test and Trace in spring 2021.
GP networks pull out of vax delivery following ’15-minute obs’ rule
At least one GP network has had to pull out of delivering the Covid vaccine next week because of new safety guidance.
Welsh GP locums ‘cornered’ into locum banks by indemnity scheme
GP locums in Wales are being ‘cornered’ into joining a bank in order to access NHS indemnity, NASGP members have reported.
Government has left GPs to explain treatment delays, GPC Scotland chair warns
The Government’s failure to tell the public about treatment delays has left GPs and practice staff catching their anger and frustration, Dr Andrew Buist has warned.
Healthcare workers deprioritised by new Covid vaccine strategy
Meanwhile, the JCVI has also advised that GPs should be prioritised for Covid vaccination based on their personal risk level.
Prioritise BAME patients for Covid-19 vaccination, RCGP urges
The NASGP supports calls by the RCGP to prioritise Black, Asian and minority ethnic patients for Covid-19 vaccinations, given the extensive evidence that they are at higher risk.
Suspend appraisals for a year, RCGP urges
The RCGP Council approved a motion by a group of GPs in an open letter that campaigned for a break.
Practices can use £150m ‘second wave’ fund for GP locum jobs
The BMA’s new statement gives practices the support they need to make their own decisions about how to get through the second wave.
Replace CCGs with integrated care systems by 2022, NHS England proposes
NHS England wants all CCGs to merge across their integrated care system (ICS) boundaries by April 2022.
LocumDeck adds off-locum work functionality for fees, non-clinical work and OOH
GPs can now add off-locum work to LocumDeck following an update.
GP locums lead the charge at 2020’s annual conference of local medical committees
GP locums are calling for safe working conditions, better training, and a seat at the table in primary care’s recovery from the pandemic at this year’s conference.
NASGP welcomes news of visa extension for GPs and other NHS staff
The NASGP welcomes the news that NHS doctors will be given extensions in order to continue their invaluable and supportive work in the UK.
Covid-19 vaccination campaign to be led by boards and trusts in Wales
GPs working on the Covid-19 vaccination campaign will work for health boards and trusts.
GP registrar numbers for 2021 beat NHS targets again
NASGP chair Dr Richard Fieldhouse writes: 'It’s always heartening to see a growth in the number of doctors wishing to enter the profession.'
NHS England announces more than 40 local ‘long Covid’ clinics will open in weeks
More than 40 clinics will open within weeks, NHSE claims.
NASGP joins CQC steering group
NHS England has previously highlighted the NASGP’s Spip resource and Appraisal Aid as resources that improve coordination between practices and the GP locums they employ.
New £150m ‘second wave’ fund attempts to lock GP locums out
Dr Richard Fieldhouse, chair of NASGP, writes: "The problem that general practice is facing is that we need to urgently find and mobilise thousands of new GPs to support practices."