Must read articles this week:
- Twelve ways to prepare for the 2014 contract
- Investigation: GPs face battle to retain LES income
- Analysis: Will the unplanned admissions DES work?
- Dr Neil Goulbourne: ‘We want to provide care for as many patients as possible’
- Analysis: GPs gearing up for ‘Ofsted-style’ ratings
A body blow to a profession on the brink
‘Disgraceful’. That was the reaction from one GP leader to NHS England’s decision this week to axe all funding for occupational health support for GPs unless there are formal concerns about their performance – and, judging by the comments we’ve received from readers, he’s far from alone.
My latest blog post argues that scrapping funding for services which can help GPs suffering exhaustion and stress is short-sighted from a purely financial point of view and also seems like a betrayal of a profession on the brink. If you agree, you can add your name to Pulse’s open letter asking NHS England to rethink the decision and instead fund occupational health support for all GPs who need it.
Our January magazine is now out – you can download it free or on your iPad or iPhone here. Highlights include an investigation revealing how local enhanced services worth millions will be opened up to competition from April, a look ahead at the new ‘Ofsted-style’ ratings planned by the CQC and an interview with the GP heading up Virgin Care’s plans for general practice.
In our Working Life section we quiz Professor Roger Jones about what it’s like to edit the BJGP, while Copperfield bids good riddance to the Year of the Complaint and Peverley offers a staunch defence of maggots.
Dr Martin Brunet questions charging migrants for healthcare
New (and free) CPD modules on Pulse Learning include key questions on addiction, key questions on LUTS in men and challenges in urology. You can also now register for the first in our new series of 2014 clinical seminars, which will be held on 20 March in Birmingham and will offer practical take-home tips on the diagnosis and management of heart disease and diabetes – find out more and register here.
And finally, as the dust from the 2014 contract battle settles, many practices are already looking ahead to the changes due to come in. We’ve gathered a panel of GPs to provide a guide to 12 things you can do now to prepare for what happens in April. Recommended reading…
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