Responding to the publication of GP appointment data, Dr Mark Sanford-Wood, BMA GP committee deputy chair, said:
"Today’s GP data shows that the total number of appointments delivered by general practice in August (25.5 million) remains higher than pre-pandemic levels (23.3 million in August 2019). The percentage of appointments delivered face-to-face has also risen to 57.7%, while the percentage of appointments delivered remotely (by telephone and video consultations) has fallen. GPs are doing their best to give as many patients as possible the appointments they need safely, against a backdrop of a shortage of GPs, all the while still working within the national guidance of infection control and social distancing measures.
Dear Colleagues
We continue to find ourselves in the midst of very challenging times in General Practice and the LMC wanted to reach out to you all you.
Sadly having to deal with abuse from patients is nothing new for Practices and it has significantly increased as the pandemic and lock downs have eased. Over the past 2 weeks this has escalated further, culminating in the sickening attack directed towards a GP and staff in Manchester which resulted in the GP suffering a skull fracture and leaving several members of staff with serious injuries. We know there have been more since. Salford and Trafford are no exception and the level of abuse, aggression and scandalous vandalism has escalated resulting, no doubt, in staff fearing the working day.
The British Medical Association, British Dental Association, Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee and National Community Hearing Association have today joined forces to lobby the Bill Committee on behalf of NHS Primary Care
The collective aim is to ensure integrated Care happens through Primary Care clinical engagement and leadership at all levels of the new NHS structures in England.
In January 2021, NHS England and the BMA England General Practitioners Committee (GPC England) agreed to defer the introduction of new PCN service requirements and the majority of new Investment and Impact Fund (IIF) incentives until at least October 2021, recognising the significant workload challenges being experienced, the planning for autumn and winter which is required, and the need to create time to embed new starters in expanding PCN teams.
NHSE have today circulated details outlining their expectations of the PCN DES for the remainder of 21/22 and 22/23.
Following the BMA GPs Committee submission to the DDRB, and the recommendation of a 3% uplift for GP appraiser pay and trainers grants being accepted by government, NHSE/I has confirmed the standard appraisal fee will be uplifted by 3% and applied from 1 April 2021.
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