Talking General Practice

Emma speaks to BMA England GP committee chair Dr Katie Bramall about her decision not to stand for re-election when her three-year term ends this month and the highs and lows of her time in the role.

Katie reflects on an extraordinary three years for general practice, including navigating challenging GP contract negotiations during a tight funding climate and leading historic collective action by the profession.

She explains the personal and organisational reasons behind her decision to pass on the baton, and how she managed the intense internal and external challenges facing the committee.

Katie also outlines what her departure means for the ongoing dispute with the government, updates us on the next phases of collective action, and shares her advice for her successor as well as her hopes for the future of general practice.

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

Useful links
GPs to refuse shared care agreements in third phase of collective action
BMA to ballot GPs on switch to 'Plan B' semi-private contract



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GP Money Matters is a series of special bonus episodes of Talking General Practice sponsored by Wesleyan where we look at key personal finance issues that affect GPs.

In this episode GPonline editor Emma Bower talks to Wendy Baillie, a chartered financial planner and the retirement lead for the medical division at Wesleyan, about research the company recently undertook looking at GP career trends and GPs’ views on various personal finance issues.

Wendy explains how GPs’ attitude to work has changed in recent years, the impact workload and future uncertainty about the GP contract has had on decisions to retire early or move towards a portfolio career, and what that means for GPs’ finances.

She also offers some practical guidance for GPs on financial planning and ensuring they have the money they need for the future that they want.
This episode was produced by Czarina Deen.

This podcast is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Individual circumstances may vary.

Useful links
The research mentioned in this podcast was commissioned by Wesleyan Assurance Society – visit wesleyan.co.uk/theory-in-practice for more information.
To learn more about the financial considerations discussed in this podcast, you can book an appointment with a specialist financial adviser at Wesleyan Financial Services. Charges may apply. If you want to find out more about Wesleyan following this podcast, you can visit wesleyan.co.uk/gppodcast

About Wesleyan
Wesleyan Financial Services supports doctors with advice shaped around the realities of the profession.

From complex income structures and portfolio careers to the NHS Pension Scheme and retirement options, its Specialist Financial Advisers work closely with doctors every day. Recognised by the NHS as able to give guidance on the NHS Pension Scheme, Wesleyan brings trusted expertise to key financial decisions. Combining financial planning, investment advice and protection, it helps doctors make confident, informed choices.

96% of doctors rated their specialist financial adviser as very good or excellent, reflecting a focused service that helps doctors protect their income, grow wealth and plan ahead with confidence.

Remember: The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest.

'WESLEYAN' is the trading name of the Wesleyan Group of companies. Financial advice is provided by Wesleyan Financial Services Ltd.
Wesleyan Assurance Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Wesleyan Financial Services Ltd and Wesleyan Unit Trust Managers Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Read more information about the Wesleyan group of companies.

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Nick and Emma look at the impact the current list cleaning drive has had on GP practices and explain why GP leaders have called for a pause in the process amid fears of inappropriate removals and a huge loss of funding for the profession.
They talk about prescribing for obesity, after the BMA warned that the funding practices will receive for new QOF targets on this is unlikely to cover the cost of the work involved, and the union warned that some ICBs are cutting back on locally commissioned services related to prescribing Mounjaro since it has been added to the QOF.
And they look at the additional roles reimbursement scheme after we found that millions of pounds earmarked for the scheme went unspent in 2025/26.
Our good news story this week is about those GPs who received awards in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen.

Useful links
GP funding 'siphoned off' by unprecedented scale of patient removals, warns BMA
LMCs demand urgent list cleaning review as fears rise over inappropriate removals
List cleaning chaos leaves popular GP practice on the brink
Where have GP practices been hit hardest by list cleaning?
GP practices could boycott underfunded QOF obesity target
More than £81m of ARRS cash unclaimed in 2025/26
GPs recognised in King's Birthday Honours List

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This week Emma speaks to GP Dr Emma Watts, a dispensing doctor based in Surrey and the chair of the RCGP's Rural Forum, about the distinct challenges facing rural general practice.

Emma discusses how urban-centric policies, mounting financial constraints, and operational pressures are driving rural practice closures. She also highlights hidden health inequalities in rural areas, such as homelessness, and explains why the government's proposed framework for a neighbourhood NHS fails to consider the reality facing remote, rural, and dispensing practices.

And she explains the Rural Minds Project, an innovative training programme using virtual reality headsets to support mental health in UK farming communities.

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

Useful links
RCGP Rural Forum
Rural Minds Project
Talking General Practice episode with Dr Richard West from the Dispensing Doctors’ Association
Dispensing Doctors’ Association

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This week Nick and Emma talk about list cleaning, after an analysis by Nick showed that 350,000 patients have been removed from GP practice lists, resulting in a loss of around £45m from practice funding. Nick explains why this happens and the impact it has on individual practices.

They discuss GP contracts, looking at the first area in England that has agreed a local variation to PCN contracts, BMA fears about what neighbourhood and integrated health organisation contracts could mean for general practice and whether financial pressures on the current GP contract could make GPs back an alternative model.

And they look at the impact successive governments’ obsession with GP access has had, after a report from the House of Commons public accounts committee found that practices struggle to provide the care frail, older patients need because they are overwhelmed with targets linked to improving access.

Our good news story this week is about an initiative in Greater Manchester that has helped cut hazardous prescribing.

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

Useful links
'Aggressive' list-cleaning drive strips 350,000 patients from GP practices
'We're overwhelmed' - practices swamped by scale of patient removals
GPs agree first local PCN contract variation in £10m neighbourhood deal
Hospital-led general practice 'likely' outcome of government NHS plans, warns BMA
NHS England has overloaded GPs with access targets, MPs warn

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