Talking General Practice

Emma speaks to Professor Greg Irving, an academic GP and the national specialty lead for general practice at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

In this conversation, Greg discusses the essential role of research in general practice and how it is being embedded into the government’s 10-year plan as the NHS shifts focus from hospitals to the community.

He explains the various ways the NIHR supports and funds research in primary care, highlighting opportunities for practices to get involved—from light-touch studies to more complex commercial research.

Greg also addresses common concerns about the workload associated with research and highlights how it can improve quality of care, boost job satisfaction for the practice team, and help tackle health inequalities and offers practical advice for practices wanting to get involved.

And Emma and Greg also discuss the shift toward neighbourhood working and how general practice is uniquely placed to lead research into complex challenges like multiple long-term conditions.

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

Useful links
NIHR School for Primary Care Research
NIHR Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN)
Practices can access commercial study opportunities via the National Contract Value Review (NCVR)
Funding and infrastructure opportunities that are available, such as the NIHR Capital Infrastructure
NIHR primary care strategy and research programme

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Nick and Emma discuss GP retention and look at the reasons why experienced doctors are leaving the role and what the NHS needs to do to ensure more GPs remain in the job for longer.

They talk about how the expanded use of online consultations has impacted on GP workload and fears about what this year’s GP contract – which introduces new same-day access targets and changes to GP referrals – and the push towards neighbourhoods could mean for practice workload.

And they discuss the latest on this year’s GP contract, including what we know about the practice-level reimbursement scheme for GPs and possible collective action by GPs.

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

Useful links
Advice and guidance 'ping-pong' fuelling the GP retention crisis
Viewpoint: Why experienced GPs are leaving the NHS and how we can keep them
GP workforce at 10-year high, government claims
GPs working 20 hours a day to clear avalanche of online requests
Steep rise in online consultations over past year, latest data show
Preparations underway for return to GP collective action
Practice-level GP reimbursement scheme will not begin until May

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma talks to Dr Liz Dapré, an academic GP and co-chair of the group GPs Championing Perinatal Care (GPCPC) about the vital role of primary care in maternal and perinatal health.

In this conversation Liz and Emma discuss the key problems in perinatal care across the NHS and what needs to happen to address some of these issues.

Liz explains how GPCPC is working to ensure the voice of general practice is heard by national policymakers and what it does to support GPs.

She also talks about health inequalities in maternal health, the role GPs can play in tackling these and provides practical advice on delivering high-quality 6-to-8-week postnatal checks – explaining why these should be seen as a holistic review of a woman’s transition to parenthood rather than just a series of clinical boxes to tick.

And they talk about how GPs can better identify and support women following birth trauma, as well as managing gestational diabetes and the ongoing risks for women affected by this.

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

Useful links
● Women with gestational diabetes should be referred to the Diabetes Prevention Programme
● GPs Championing Perinatal Care
● NHS England 6- to 8-week postnatal check guidance
● Improving maternal postnatal check uptake in general practice using an opt-out equitable model of access: results of a 12- month quality improvement project, by Dr Dhiviya Tharan
● City Birth Trauma Scale questionnaire

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma and Nick discuss the results of the BMA referendum on the GP contract and what happens next, including whether GPs will take action and what health and social care secretary Wes Streeting has said about this.

They talk about this year’s GP contract deal after the DDRB recommended a 3.5% pay increase for GPs and practice staff and updated contract guidance for PCNs was published - highlighting some of the key challenges facing practices as the new financial year begins.

Our good news story this week is about the annual British Social Attitudes survey, which showed satisfaction with general practice has risen to its highest point since 2021.

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

Useful links

GPs vote overwhelmingly to reject 2026/27 contract
GPs could start collective action in April if contract talks fail
GP pay rise 'could fall short' amid rising inflation
Government reveals details of 2026/27 GP contract funding
GPs already hired with PCN cash can move to new practice-level scheme
Lack of detail on new GP reimbursement scheme ‘completely unacceptable’
Public satisfaction with general practice highest since 2021

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Emma speaks to the RCGP’s registrar co-chairs, Dr Tom France and Dr Molly Dineen about the issues currently facing GP registrars across the UK.
Tom and Molly talk about the ongoing GP jobs crisis and the intense frustration surrounding underemployment and unemployment at the end of training.
They explain their concerns about the GP jobs available under the additional roles reimbursement scheme and stress the importance of a fully funded, detailed workforce plan from the government to address the mismatch between rising training numbers and available jobs.
Tom and Molly also outline their key priorities for the year ahead, including the need for greater consistency in training and the urgent requirement for better visa sponsorship support for international medical graduates.
And they discuss how GP training might need to change and what they would like to see from policymakers to ensure that general practice remains an attractive and viable career for the next generation of doctors.
This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen.
Useful links
● RCGP registrar committee
● GP training resources on GPonline
● Why a 'heartbroken' new GP gave up his dream career in UK general practice - Former RCGP registrar co-chair speaks to GPonline

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.