The General Practice Podcast

In this week’s episode, brought to you in partnership with Practice Index, we welcome back Claire Houston & Kay Keane, they explore the financial challenges that general practices are facing in light of recent budget changes. Practices are grappling with significant costs, and the fear of potential staff reductions looms large. They highlight the ongoing financial strain on practices, emphasising the gap between headline funding figures and the real growth in income. They reflect on the emotional and practical struggles faced by healthcare workers amidst rising operational costs. The lack of clear communication from governing bodies only adds to the difficulty of managing budgets effectively. This episode paints a vivid picture of the challenging landscape that general practices navigate while striving to maintain service standards. Introduction (00:09)  The impact on practices (02:51)  Finances for practices (04:22)  Is there time? (07:41) Is it going to get resolved.. (09:10) IGPMs reaction (12:03) Collective action (14:15) A difficult period.. (16:43)  How do you see it playing out? (22:02) The salary calculator (23:32)  To visit the Practice Index website, click here or contact James Dillon here. For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.  

Join Ben in this solo episode as he explores the rapidly changing landscape of general practice and primary care networks. With the five year contract ending in March, is general practice facing significant financial challenges and an uncertain future? Ben explores the potential shift towards a neighbourhood based model of healthcare integration. As Primary Care Networks take a backseat, the focus shifts to integrated neighbourhood teams, designed to deliver seamless, holistic care. He also discusses the implications for Integrated Care Boards and the critical need for strong organisational infrastructure to support this transformation. Listen in as Ben navigates the challenges and opportunities, pondering what the future holds for general practice.. The changing landscape for primary care networks and for GP practices (0:09) Contract limbo situation (0:22)  The Fuller Report (02:08) Integrated neighborhood teams (03:49) The Darzi report.. (06:09) GP contracts needs to have some major reform (07:14) Think tank.. (08:00) ‘Working Better Together in Neighbourhoods’ Report (08:54) The job of ICB’s (10:48) PCNs.. (11:31) Introduction of neighbourhoods (12:57) What does all this mean? (14:20) Relationships in your local area (17:14) Taking on leadership roles for cross organisational working.. (18:11) For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

This week, Ben is joined by former colleague, Adrian McCourt, to explore groundbreaking innovations in general practice health services. Adrian shares his transformative work from the past three years, focusing on how addressing social determinants of health can enhance healthcare outcomes. He highlights the challenges and impacts of tackling issues like housing, finances, and social networks, particularly for frail patients who experience frequent hospital readmissions. The episode concludes with Adrian offering practical advice on implementing these innovations in various settings, providing a roadmap for those looking to pursue similar initiatives. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into driving innovation in general practice. Introduction (00:09)  How did the project come about? (00:46) Social determinants.. (02:04) Influences.. (02:21) Population health management (03:41) Making a difference.. (05:04) Seeing a difference.. (08:57)  Demonstrating the difference.. (10:34) The costs involved (14:24) The future.. (18:36)  Getting in touch.. (22:02) Visit Sodexo’s website here, or get in touch with Adrian via email here. For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

Primary care leader Dr Tom Holdsworth returns to the podcast, bringing his wealth of experience from Sheffield's dynamic healthcare scene. This episode uncovers how his team embraced an NHS England pilot with a mix of enthusiasm and cautious optimism, aiming to revolutionise data accuracy and effectiveness in primary care. Eager to innovate, Tom explores strategic approaches to data collection and capacity building, he sheds light on the importance of establishing consistent baselines and the potential for debunking myths around general practice funding through transparent data. Our conversation also paves the way for a richer understanding of frailty care expansion and the integration of neighbourhood teams to enhance emergency services coordination. Looking ahead, they delve into the promising future of the GP programme, with plans for new staff appointments and expanded capacity. Join us as we anticipate the transformative impact this will have on patient care and eagerly await future outcomes. Introduction (00:09)  Tom’s roles.. (00:23)  The focus.. (02:01) The NHS England PCN Pilot Scheme.. (02:58)  10% increase in capacity.. (07:31) The impact of data overtime.. (09:03) Investing in General Practice (10:29)  The future of the pilot.. (17:33) Support throughout the pilot (18:41)  Results from the pilot.. (19:51) Listen to Tom’s previous episode here - ‘Supporting frailty in Sheffield’. For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.