NASGP

We speak to Dr Kevin Fernando about his deliberate and successful transition from a GP partnership to a thriving, multi-faceted portfolio career. Kevin explains how a desire for better work-life balance initially led him to general practice, and how his passion for medical education became the key to unlocking a global role with Medscape. He shares practical advice on how to start teaching, the importance of surrounding yourself with mentors, and how part-time sessional work provides the necessary foundation for flexibility. We also discuss his new private practice (focused on CVRM), the luxury of time it affords for holistic care, and his thoughts on the evolving role of AI as an invaluable tool for clinicians.

Luke Wheal, a specialist medical accountant from Azets, breaks down the monumental shift to making tax digital for income tax (MTD) and what it means for UK sessional GPs and any GP with qualifying rental income. He clarifies the confusion around staggered turnover thresholds (starting at £50,000 for April 2026) and stresses that while reporting is going quarterly, the existing self-assessment payment dates remain the same. This episode is a practical, demystifying guide to navigating the future of tax for the flexible sessional workforce and avoiding the common traps of the new digital record-keeping system.

View on YouTube (includes slides)

#MakingTaxDigital, #MTD, #GPlocum, #SessionalGP, #NHS

Dr Richard Fieldhouse sits down with GP, trainer, and author Dr Martin Brunet to explore the "art" of general practice. Martin shares his journey from hospital medicine to finding his "tribe" in GP, where he developed a passion for the mechanics of communication. We dive deep into his "Two Houses" consultation model—a practical way to navigate complex patient agendas—and discuss the clinical reality of burnout. Martin introduces the vital concept of "moral distress," explaining how system pressures force us away from our core values and, crucially, how "shared moral purpose" and creative self-care can help us stay resilient.

Resources:
“Your Worry Makes Sense: Anxiety and Burnout are Logical (and You Can Overcome Them) 
 “The GP Consultation Reimagined: a Tale of Two Houses” 
NASGP LocumDeck Professional Toolkit
Instagram 

Key Quotes:
"Surgeons operate, GPs communicate... we're all better as doctors and people if we communicate well".
"Moral distress is when you're being put in a position where you're asked to, or expected to, or have to operate outside your values".

Dr Richard Fieldhouse is joined by Dr Helen Garr, Medical Director of NHS Practitioner Health, for a candid conversation about the mental health of the workforce. They discuss the unique pressures faced by sessional GPs and partners alike, moving beyond the standard "resilience" talk to address the reality of compassion fatigue and the "superhero" complex. Helen shares personal stories of her own career—including a wake-up call while working under a palm tree on holiday—and offers practical advice on how to build connection and psychological safety in a fragmented system.

Resources
NHS Practitioner Health: https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk/ 
NASGP LocumDeck: https://www.nasgp.org.uk/ 

Key Quotes
"We give, we give, we give, until we fall off that cliff and we crash. And often the point at which people recognise they need some help is when things have got really quite bad."
"There is no 'not unwell enough' to come to us. If you think things aren't quite right, please do reach out."

In this essential conversation, former GP Partner and Director of Training, Dr. Sarah Coope, charts her remarkable career from a young GP with a thirst for continuity to a specialist in clinician well-being and conflict resolution. Sarah shares how taking a risk on coaching early in her career proved transformational, leading her to discover her "joy in work" and ultimately protect herself from burnout. She breaks down the three degrees of burnout and offers immediately actionable, self-aware strategies—from the power of the midday break to identifying the 20% of your week that brings you purpose. This is a must-listen for any sessional GP looking to find stability, set boundaries, and manage the emotional load of modern general practice. Dr. Coope’s company also runs a ‘Permission to Thrive’ personal development community for doctors interested in ongoing support.