News

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Salaried stress ‘churns’ GP locums back to portfolio careers, NASGP finds Salaried stress ‘churns’ GP locums back to portfolio careers, NASGP finds

GP locums’ swing towards salaried roles has already headed back in the original direction, the NASGP warns colleagues.

GP partners now make up just over half of total number of UK GPs GP partners now make up just over half of total number of UK GPs

The workforce also rose in size by 1% in the three months to September – a trend likely to be driven by the rise in the number of salaried GPs. 

GP locum bookings double on LocumDeck, year on year GP locum bookings double on LocumDeck, year on year

Bookings are up again month-on-month and year on year on NASGP’s locum booking system. 

Nearly three quarters of GPs need funding for cover as morale slides: BMA Nearly three quarters of GPs need funding for cover as morale slides: BMA

Dr Fieldhouse, chair of NASGP, said: "This is a very timely survey from the BMA and should be applauded for revealing – while there is still time to do something about it – a system under severe strain."

GP locums need a place on integrated care boards too, NASGP argues GP locums need a place on integrated care boards too, NASGP argues

We have experience across dozens of practices and systems, creating unique skills and insights to local services, Dr Fieldhouse writes.

CCAS ‘300 GPs short’, ‘restarting recruitment’ CCAS ‘300 GPs short’, ‘restarting recruitment’

Dr Richard Fieldhouse, NASGP chair, says: “Now that the second wave of Covid is well on its way, CCAS must change to either a proper employment contract with equitable pay, or allow GPs to be engaged by the service on the locums’ usual self-employed contractual basis.” 

NASGP adds new dates to GP locum webinar series NASGP adds new dates to GP locum webinar series

The NASGP has added new events for GP locums looking to join or start new NASGP Locum Chambers this winter. 

Contract notice for online NHS GP consultations due out in November, leaders warn Contract notice for online NHS GP consultations due out in November, leaders warn

A contract notice is due out in November to attract tenders for a software supplier, GP leaders have warned TechMonitor.

Put GPs in charge of NHS Track and Trace, MP demands Put GPs in charge of NHS Track and Trace, MP demands

Dr Richard Fieldhouse said: “Statements like these seem to be more about rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic."

Capita under fire over NHS Pensions problems Capita under fire over NHS Pensions problems

Doctors are up in arms over pension and primary care support shortcomings, the Financial Times’s FT Adviser reports.

New checklist helps GP locums assess salaried contract terms New checklist helps GP locums assess salaried contract terms

A ‘practice CV’ template provides GP locums with a checklist of questions to ask before signing a contract.

Health sec says GPs can ‘recommence’ face-to-face in service gaffe Health sec says GPs can ‘recommence’ face-to-face in service gaffe

A new comment by health minister Jo Churchill shows ‘a complete disconnect’ and a ‘lack of understanding of what actually goes on in primary care’, GPs told Pulse.

Doctors and nurses need ‘psychological PPE’, says Prof Clare Gerada Doctors and nurses need ‘psychological PPE’, says Prof Clare Gerada

NASGP fully supports Dame Prof Gerada’s calls for better support at work, and confidential services for clinicians to prevent mental ill health. 

NASGP launches new free online chamber events series NASGP launches new free online chamber events series

Webinars for GP locums across the UK have helped them find out more about the NASGP Locum Chambers model.

Almost 100 GP practices closed in 2019, data shows Almost 100 GP practices closed in 2019, data shows

Unplanned closures can cause the local provision of healthcare to implode, Dr Richard Fieldhouse warned.

GP locums report challenges accessing flu vaccinations GP locums report challenges accessing flu vaccinations

GP locums are eligible for free flu vaccinations at GP practices according to the new DES, but some have struggled to find clinics and book in for them.

NASGP backs doctors’ warning over ‘non-Covid harms’ NASGP backs doctors’ warning over ‘non-Covid harms’

Dr Richard Fieldhouse, NASGP chair, has co-signed a letter from NHS doctors about the risk from a potential second lockdown this winter. 

CCAS cuts nurses off after audit finds safety problems CCAS cuts nurses off after audit finds safety problems

The NHS 111 service has permanently stopped nurses and other clinicians handling calls after an audit of recorded calls.

GP locums ‘sucked up’ by private health amidst CCAS problems GP locums ‘sucked up’ by private health amidst CCAS problems

NASGP chair Dr Richard Fieldhouse told GPonline that private firms had had better access to GP locums during the pandemic after many locums had sessions cancelled at short notice.

First wave flu clinics cancelled as vaccine supply runs short  First wave flu clinics cancelled as vaccine supply runs short 

Practices have already been forced to cancel flu clinics for at-risk under-65s after supply of the vaccine ran short in September.

LocumDeck bookings up 40% in September, month on month LocumDeck bookings up 40% in September, month on month

GP locum sessions have gone up 40% between August and September in the NASGP’s LocumDeck booking system. 

GP practices can order PPE from the Government, DH claims GP practices can order PPE from the Government, DH claims

The NASGP recommends that all GP locums include in their terms a specific requirement to receive PPE from the practice they work in. GP locums should not be asked to source or supply their own PPE

Demand surges as practice managers plan winter GP locums Demand surges as practice managers plan winter GP locums

At the end of August 3.9 million appointments were recorded for England in one week. In the first week of September this leapt to 5.2 million.

One in four GP locums miss out on death-in-service, new NASGP survey finds One in four GP locums miss out on death-in-service, new NASGP survey finds

Of 158 responses, 25.3% said they couldn’t access death-in-service.