Talking General Practice

Emma talks to Robert McCartney, a senior associate in the corporate commercial team at the law firm Hempsons to discuss the shift toward a neighborhood NHS and what this means for the future of general practice.
In this conversation, Robert outlines the potential impact new single and multi-neighborhood provider contracts could have and discusses the growing trend of PCNs incorporating as limited companies in response to possible changes and the practicalities of doing this.
He also sets out some practical steps practices and PCNs can take now to prepare for the the reform ahead.
This episode is an extract from a recent video Robert and I did for our sister site GP Business’s Monthly Briefing series. You can watch the full video, which also includes Roberts thoughts on the future of the partnership model, by visiting https://www.gpbusiness.co.uk/article/1945845/video-neighbourhoods-will-affect-practices-gp-contracts If you are a registered user of GPonline you can use the same login details to access a limited amount of content on GP Business each month.

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

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This week Emma and Nick discuss a significant fall in the number of young GP partners, the reasons behind this and what the long term impact of this workforce shift might be.

They look at the exodus of UK-trained international medical graduate doctors to other countries and talk about why this group has been particularly hard hit by the GP jobs crisis. They also highlight the impact new legislation that will prioritise UK-trained doctors for specialty training posts could have in general practice.

And they discuss the latest on legal actions physician assistants are taking against GP practices, the RCGP and the BMA, after new scope of practice guidance lead to many practices reviewing their PAs’ roles and responsibilities.

Our good news story this week is about the national rollout of the WorkWell scheme which could help to reduce demand for GP appointments.

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

Useful links
Young GP partners in freefall as risk and uncertainty take toll
Why a 'heartbroken' new GP gave up his dream career in UK general practice
How prioritising UK graduates will transform competition for GP training
Dozens of PAs bid for £7.5m damages from practices, RCGP and BMA

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Emma speaks to Patrick Denston about how GP practices can make the best use of new tech and what the next five years could hold.
Patrick is a PCN digital transformation and change manager and a practice business manager based in Farnborough, Hampshire, as well as an NHS England AI peer ambassador.
He has a proven track record of successfully introducing new technology into general practice. In this conversation, Patrick explains how his practice has moved away from manual, paper-based processes to embrace digital and AI tools and advanced data analytics.
He discusses how these tools are helping to improve access and address other challenges in the practice and also shares some very practical advice for other practices looking to embrace new tech, including how to navigate the busy market of tech suppliers.
Emma and Patrick also look ahead to the future of general practice, discussing the government’s 10-year plan and how AI and data-led population health management could fundamentally change the way practices operate over the next five years.
This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen.
Useful links
Viewpoint: How can general practice make best use of AI?
AI tools in general practice and liability - advice for GPs
Using AI transcribing software in general practice - medicolegal considerations

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Emma and Nick talk about some key news stories from the end of December and the start of this year linked to issues where we are expecting some major developments in the early part of 2026.

They talk about the 2026/27 GP contract, what the BMA and RCGP have said the contract needs to address, as well as some of their own predictions about what could happen.

They look at what comes next with neighbourhoods and how general practice can ensure it is protected against big changes that could be coming down the track.

And they discuss the impact the ongoing jobs crisis is having on the profession in England and what the government could do to address this in both the GP contract and the forthcoming workforce plan.

This week’s good news story is about the GPs and other general practice staff awarded new year honours.

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

Submit your case studies highlighting good work in your practice to GP Business here.

Useful links
GPs, practice nurses and practice manager recognised in New Year Honours
BMA reveals GP contract demands for 2026/27
New RCGP chair outlines college response to GP contract consultation
GPs forming huge companies to bid for neighbourhood contracts
Registrars delay qualifying as GPs amid 'bleak' job market

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Emma speaks to the new chair of the Royal College of GPs Dr Victoria Tzortziou Brown, who took on the post at the end of November.

Victoria is the first international medical graduate to chair the college and has worked as a GP in East London for 20 years.

In this conversation, Victoria sets out her priorities for her time as chair, including defining the role of general practice in a changing healthcare system, tackling workload pressures and ensuring new technology supports GPs in practice - and why the college is running a consultation with members on these key issues.

She explains why she wants to bring hope back to the profession and help make general practice a sustainable and fulfilling career once again and highlights the importance of the college championing continuity of care as part of this.

Victoria also talks about the college's relationship with the government, her views on plans for a neighbourhood NHS and the current jobs crisis facing GPs, as well as the college's ongoing campaign to secure better visa rights for IMG GP registrars.

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

Useful links
Details of the RCGP consultation on its key priorities
Low pay could force IMG GPs to quit UK, doctors warn
Quarter of GPs use AI but 'wild west' rollout sparks safety fears
Nuffield Trust/RCGP report on how GPs are using AI

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