The BMA’s GP England (GPCE) committee has voted to accept a package of changes to the GP contract for 2020-21, which includes funding to attract more doctors to take up partnership roles and expand the practice team seeing patients in surgeries. The agreement, which builds on the five-year deal announced last year, is the result of months of negotiations between the BMA and NHS England and NHS Improvement and comes three weeks after GPCE rejected an earlier deal.
Draft service specifications for Primary Care Networks (PCNs) – outlining the responsibilities of these groups of practices and community providers in the coming years – have been significantly pared back after widespread criticism from the profession that draft versions published by NHS England and NHS Improvement at the end of last year were unfair, unrealistic and burdened already struggling-practices with unsustainable workloads.
The BMA is asking members what stance it should take on physician-assisted dying for the first time in a survey that launched today (6th Feb). The BMA is currently opposed to assisted dying in all forms – a position it has held since 2006. The survey, which covers all four UK countries, is the first time it has asked all of its almost 160,000 members for their views on the issue. The results of the poll will not actually change BMA policy, but they will feed into a debate at the association's annual representative meeting (ARM) in June where delegates will vote on whether the BMA should change its stance.
BMA emergency prepares lead, Peter Holden, spoke to LBC on Saturday about the coronavirus. He said that it’s understandable that people are worried, but it’s important to maintain perspective on the outbreak and that, compared to flu, general risk and fatalities remain low. He also spoke to talkRADIO on Tuesday about the latest developments in the spreading of the infection. Asked if the UK is prepared for its own outbreak, he said: "Yes, we're prepared, without in any way being complacent. We're as prepared as we can be because we don't know the precise size and shape of this beast yet.”
As Britain left the EU on 31 January 2020, the BMA released a statement saying that European doctors must continue to be welcome in the UK. Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council-chair, said: “Freedom of movement has allowed talented doctors and other healthcare staff to travel, work and teach across Europe, letting those from the EU to both contribute to and learn from the NHS, while UK-trained clinicians have been able to share their skills in other European nations. Our message to our European colleagues – and indeed those around the world – is a clear one: you are welcome here.”
The Mergers & Takeovers Seminar will be held tomorrow (Tuesday 28th January) 1915-2100 at The Copthorne Hotel at Salford Quays, Manchester. LMC Law and will provide the low down on the processes involved and an insight into things to consider. We still have 2 or 3 places left and we encourage you to attend if your practice is considering a merger or takeover, or if you just want to learn more about the available options. Please register using the eventbrite link below.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mergers-takeovers-processes-issues-tickets-87137605925
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