Talking General Practice

This week Emma, Nick and Kimberley talk about the government’s plans for neighbourhoods - after the long-awaited neighbourhood health framework was published this week - and what it all means for general practice.

They also look in more detail at how GP contract changes to advice and guidance link into this and whether these changes could impede GPs’ right to refer, what they could mean for workload in general practice and concerns about patient safety.

And they discuss the results of our annual GP locum rates survey and what it tells us about rates of pay for locum GPs and how the jobs crisis has impacted on locums.

Our good news story this week is about a new ADHD service set up by the GP federation in Leeds which is helping to cut waiting times for assessment and treatment.

This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower, deputy editor Nick Bostock and senior reporter Kimberley Hackett. It was produced by Czarina Deen.

Useful links

Government reveals how neighbourhood model will fit with GP contract
Neighbourhood plans ramp up focus on GP access and advice and guidance
Minister outlines timetable for 'new Carr-Hill formula'
Mandatory advice and guidance adds to patient safety risks, warns LMC
GP locum rates fall in England but rise in rest of UK
Locum GP earnings hit as most struggle to find enough work
Uncoordinated NHS reforms causing 'widespread disruption'

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This week Emma speaks to the co-chairs of the BMA sessional GP committee Dr Amy Small and Dr Kim Rollinson about the jobs crisis and how they hope to better represent sessional GPs.

In this conversation they discuss how the shortage of jobs is affecting locum and salaried GPs across the country and what needs to be done to address this issue.

They explain what salaried GPs should look out for when signing contracts, and what GP partners can do to be good employers and ensure their staff and locum GPs feel valued. They also talk about the push towards a neighbourhood NHS and what that could mean for sessional GPs, as well as how the rise in portfolio working is helping many doctors manage the intense pressures associated with being a GP.

This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen.

Useful links
BMA sessional GP committee website
GPs in Scotland end dispute as £531m funding deal agreed
Raid on PCN cash to fund practice-level recruitment as ARRS rules changed

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BMA England GP committee chair Dr Katie Bramall speaks to Emma about the 2026/27 GP contract and the BMA’s referendum on the deal, which launched this week.

Katie explains why she thinks the 2026/27 contract is a bad deal for general practice and some of the problems around same-day access, advice and guidance and practice funding.

She talks about what happens if GPs reject the deal in the referendum, which may mean the profession begins taking action from as early as 1 April. Katie raises the prospect of a ballot on more serious action that could put practices in breach of their contract later in the summer if there is no movement from the government on the contract.

She also talks about the government’s plans for a neighbourhood NHS and how this will affect general practice and explains new BMA guidance on what practices and GPs should be doing now.

This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen.

Useful links
BMA briefing paper on neighbourhoods

What's in the GP contract for 2026/27?
GP referral change revealed as NHS plays down same-day access impact
Viewpoint: Why mandatory advice and guidance risks a patient safety fiasco
Why the 2026/27 contract risks increased financial pressure for practices
MIMS Learning Live Digital 2026

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Nick and Emma explain how the GP contract for 2026/27 in England is set to change, how it will impact on practices and what it means for the current dispute between the BMA and the government.

In this episode they talk about what the contract changes mean for practice and PCN finances, and whether the funding increase will make a difference, or boost jobs available for GPs.

They also look at a new requirement for same day access for urgent patients, plus changes to the QOF, additional roles reimbursement scheme and how practices are paid for advice and guidance.

And they talk about the reaction to the deal and what happens next in the ongoing dispute with the government.

This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock, It was produced by Czarina Deen.

Useful links
What's in the GP contract for 2026/27? - full details of all the changes
Contract uplift leaves practices 'treading water' and risks cashflow crisis
GP contract funding to rise by £485m in 2026/27
Raid on PCN cash to fund practice-level recruitment as ARRS rules changed
New targets on same-day access and obesity in 2026/27 GP contract

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The GPonline team discusses the latest news affecting general practice.

This week Emma and Nick look at how the GP workforce is changing across England and which areas are moving quickest towards what’s considered a safe GP patient ratio.

They also discuss what we know and don’t know about this year’s GP contract, rounding up a number of stories GPonline has published recently that cover issues including childhood vaccinations, staff pay rises, the GP funding formula review and what forthcoming guidance on neighbourhoods could mean for general practice.

For this week’s good news story senior reporter Kimberley Hackett highlights the winners of the London General Practice Awards, which were presented in the Houses of Parliament earlier this month.

This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower, deputy editor Nick Bostock and senior reporter Kimberley Hackett. It was produced by Czarina Deen.

Useful links
Which areas are moving fastest towards a safe GP-patient ratio?
NHS to ramp up GP contract focus on diabetes and child vaccination
Which parts of England are furthest behind as child vaccine PR campaign begins?
Funding cuts could force GP practices to pull out of flu jab campaign
GP contract uplift 'meaningless' without clarity on future of PCNs
MPs raise concerns over GP funding formula review
Londonwide LMCs award winners

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