NASGP Knowledgebase: free GP articles and resources

Reducing risk  on busy days

Dr Rachel Birch from MPS provides practical advice on how GP locums can catch omissions such as missed referrals, and prevent similar incidents in future

e-learning – Leg ulcer infection: antibiotic prescribing

A NICE update on antibiotic prescribing for leg ulcers published in February 2020 includes a good visual guide to best practice

Medicolegal risks for GP locums during Covid-19

GP locums may be asked to work in new ways in unfamiliar environments as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. Dr Rachel Birch, medicolegal consultant at MPS, advises on dilemmas they may face

Actions after incorrect use of combined hormonal contraception (ie missed pills guidance)

The FSRH provided a good summary of guidance for those advising women about what to do after a missed pill

Ensuring a locum GP is a self-employed contractor, not an employee

There are a number of important differences between employees and self-employed contractors

Giving effective feedback to a GP colleague

Dr Rachel Birch presents two case studies of GP locums who fed back to practices.

e-learning | Thyroid disease

Symptoms may lag behind treatment changes by weeks, or even months, new NICE guidance warns

Parental benefits

The New Year seems an appropriate time to think about new babies, so here we consider some money matters you might need to think about.

Life after VTS: my journey to life as a jobbing GP locum

Like many highly skilled professions, a career in general practice can be a journey with obstacles to overcome, barriers to navigate and choices to make. NASGP member Tina Sumner describes how she came to be working as a GP locum and how NASGP has helped her in that journey.

Have yourself a merry  risk-free Christmas

Dr Rachel Birch, Medicolegal Consultant at Medical Protection, offers practical advice on how to make this year as safe and enjoyable as possible.

When can I retire?

Many of us are looking down the barrel of our ‘normal retirement age’ being 67. A chilling thought.

Off duty dilemmas

As doctors, we may sometimes feel that we are never off duty. Even when we are not at work, those close to us may seek our advice on medical matters, or even request for emergency medical assistance.

Dapagliflozin with insulin for patients with Type 1 Diabetes

This is a new guideline from NICE on using dapagliflozin in patients with Type 1 diabetes.

Locums as educators – every day is a learning day

Every day is a learning day in general practice. We are constantly learning from patients, members of the primary care team, and our secondary care colleagues.

Being mindful of medical hierarchy

Medical hierarchy may present a challenge, and at times a possible reluctance, to open discussions about patients. Dr Rachel Birch, medicolegal consultant at Medical Protection, discusses possible reasons for this and provides helpful strategies to overcome this.

Meet the locum GP specialist

For years, we’ve been calling for recognition that locuming involves performing in a specialised environment requiring at least a mention in formal GP training. We brought that together in a one-day GP locum masterclass with the BMJ.

Burnout and how  to avoid it

Burnout among GPs can be an occupational hazard and is believed to be increasingly common. Dr Rachel Birch, medicolegal consultant at Medical Protection, discusses burnout and the steps that sessional GPs can take to avoid it.

The story of a locum session; missing out on marginal gains

In this final article, we'll run through a hypothetical locum session (but inspired by real events!) and the typical response to errors, finally examining how a more considered, system-based approach based on the learning from psychology and Black Box thinking could promote patient safety, practice efficiency and GP morale and retention.

Risk management

Systems to  improve continuity of care

Following on from her previous article Dis-continuity; putting care into context, Dr Sara Chambers explores the idea that sometimes continuity of care is deployed to paper over the cracks where 'continuity of management' and 'information' is lacking or even absent, and why the locum's perspective needs to be part of a future solution.

Podcast | I’m a GeriGP

NASGP member Eva Kalmus describes how she became co-chair of the new GeriGP group of the British Geriatrics Society (BGS), and why being a portfolio GP has never been boring.

State-backed indemnity –  what it means for sessional GPs

There's still some uncertainty about the new state-backed indemnity scheme for England and Wales, and Rachel Birch from the MPS has the answers.

Dis-continuity – putting  care into context

Much is made of continuity of care, but little time is spent examining its weaknesses and exploring the alternatives. In the first of a two-part series, Dr Sara Chambers helps put continuity into context.

Should GP locums use WhatsApp to book sessions or jobs?

What you gain in convenience, you lose in the ability to control significant aspects of your practice

GP locums

Locuming; it takes skill, needs training

Over 2,000 doctors will have qualified as GPs in the last 12 months, each having spent in the region of two years working in at least one, possibly several, GP surgeries, but including training on how to be a GP locum?

Elementary my dear doctor

Fed up of the world seeing GPs as the honest but dim-witted Watson, I took it upon myself to change our image in the public arena.

Working as a GP

Is laughter the  best medicine?

Dr Rachel Birch, medicolegal adviser at Medical Protection, addresses this issue in more detail and presents a case where humour had unintended consequences.

Podcast | A viper’s nest: when venom is a man’s best friend

Did you know that captopril was derived from the venom of the deadly Brazilian pit viper? Since it went on the market in 1981 captopril and its successor ACE inhibitors have probably saved many more lives than have been lost to pit vipers.