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The most-read news stories of 2016

Calendar christmas roundup quiz J Claxton

22 December 2016

1. Steve Field’s practice rated ‘requires improvement’ for patient safety

The GP practice where the CQC’s chief inspector of general practice, Professor Steve Field, is a partner has received a rating of ‘requires improvement’ on ensuring services are safe for patients, despite being given a ‘Good’ rating overall.
2. Trainee’s portfolio ‘used as evidence against them’ in legal case

A trainee’s ‘written reflections’ on an incident in their training development portfolio was used against them in a legal case, which GP leaders have said illustrates the medico-legal ‘minefield’ that GPs are having to operate in.
3. Medicine degrees offered through clearing ‘for first time ever’

A London university caused a furore after saying it was going to be offering medical course places via ‘clearing’ for the first time, although this turned out to be a bit of an exaggeration as a handful of places are offered each year.
4. Jeremy Hunt thanks GPs for ensuring patient safety during junior doctor strikes

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt thanked GPs for keeping patients safe during the junior doctors’ industrial action.
5. Only six US physician associates recruited for practices despite £50k salary offer

A scheme intended to recruit 200 experienced physician associates to the NHS from the US through offering a salary of £50,000 and generous benefits will be unlikely to meet its target, its leaders have admitted.
6. GP practices forced to tell NHS England if they pay over ‘maximum rate’ for locums

GP practices told they were get a ‘indicative maximum rate’ for locums, which has seen them reporting any breaches to NHS England above the £80.01 maximum rate
7. Health secretary announces ‘one-stop’ plan to revolutionise role of GPs

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt announces a new programme aimed at moving more patient services to GP practices from hospital.
8. GPs declare rescue package ‘inadequate’ and vote in favour of industrial action

GPs were told they would be canvassed on their willingness to sign undated resignations and take industrial action following a passionate debate at the LMCs conference.
9. NICE dramatically reduces drug options for low back pain

GPs should not prescribe TCAs, SSRIs or strong opioids for lower back pain, and only offer paracetamol for second-line use, under planned revisions to NICE guidelines.
10. Managers in crisis talks as GP practices across whole town close their lists

GP practices across an entire town stop registering new patients because of recruitment problems, leaving the CCG to call an urgent meeting with the last practice to close its list.

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