Talking General Practice

Emma speaks to Professor Bola Owolabi, a practising GP in the Midlands and the chief inspector of primary care and community services at the CQC. Before this she director of the National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme at NHS England, where she led the Core20PLUS5 approach to tackling healthcare inequalities.Bola took on her role at the CQC in July last year at a particularly turbulent time for the regulator.In this conversation, she discusses how the CQC is working to turn things around after facing significant criticism about its work, the development of a new sector-specific assessment framework for primary care, and how she hopes inspections will become a less stressful experience for GPs, practice managers and the rest of the practice team.Bola also talks about her own experience of leading the turnaround of a GP practice in a deprived area that was rated inadequate, the role of the CQC in improving care and tackling health inequalities, and how the regulator views the move towards neighbourhood health and the use of AI in general practice.This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen.Useful linksCQC regulators pioneers’ fund informationLack of investment in community services will hit plans to shift care out of hospitals, says CQCCQC mythbuster on AI in general practice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick and Emma discuss how the BMA plans to respond when details of the 2026/27 GP contract are published, which are expected at some point this month, confusion about the time frame for neighbourhoods and how plans to ramp up advice and guidance could bring even more work to general practice in the coming year.They also look at a couple of stories GPonline has published over the past week or so that show the increasing pressures GPs are under, including the difficulties many doctors have managing childcare arrangements as a result of work.This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen.Useful linksBMA reveals stance on 2026/27 GP contract referendum and collective actionNHS reveals commissioning plan for multi-neighbourhood providersWhy advice and guidance could pile more unsustainable work on GPs next yearUptake of £80m advice and guidance DES falling shortWhat the Health Survey for England shows about pressure on GPsSixth of GPs have quit a job because of childcare pressures Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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 linksYoung GP partners in freefall as risk and uncertainty take tollWhy a 'heartbroken' new GP gave up his dream career in UK general practiceHow prioritising UK graduates will transform competition for GP trainingDozens of PAs bid for £7.5m damages from practices, RCGP and BMA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 linksViewpoint: How can general practice make best use of AI?AI tools in general practice and liability - advice for GPsUsing AI transcribing software in general practice - medicolegal considerations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 linksGPs, practice nurses and practice manager recognised in New Year HonoursBMA reveals GP contract demands for 2026/27New RCGP chair outlines college response to GP contract consultationGPs forming huge companies to bid for neighbourhood contractsRegistrars delay qualifying as GPs amid 'bleak' job market Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 linksDetails of the RCGP consultation on its key prioritiesLow pay could force IMG GPs to quit UK, doctors warnQuarter of GPs use AI but 'wild west' rollout sparks safety fearsNuffield Trust/RCGP report on how GPs are using AI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma speaks to Dr Vish Ratnasuriya, a GP partner and the elected chair of Our Health Partnership, one of the UK’s largest super partnerships. Vish was also recently appointed as a member of the newly formed National Commission for the Regulation of AI in Healthcare.In this episode, Vish explains how Our Health Partnership;s ‘decentralized’ super partnership model helps support practices while retaining local autonomy. He discusses the advantages of working at scale and the shift towards neighborhood working - and shares his views on why general practice needs to lead on this work and the opportunities for moving more care out of hospitals and into the community.He also talks about the huge role technology and AI will play in the future of the NHS. Vish explains what the new national commission aims to achieve and the vital importance of establishing clear rules on liability and safety for new technologies.This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen.Useful linksOur Health PartnershipNational Commission for the Regulations of AI in HealthcarePrimary Care AcceleratorWest Midlands Health Tech Innovation AcceleratorQuarter of GPs use AI but 'wild west' rollout sparks safety fearsViewpoint: How can general practice make best use of AI? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus episode Talking General Practice speaks to consultant nephrologist Dr Shafi Malik about the heightened risk of genetic kidney conditions among South Asian populations.In this conversation, Dr Malik explains why patients of South Asian origin are more at risk of genetic kidney disease and how common these conditions are. He talks specifically about primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1), the symptoms patients might present with if they have this condition - including recurrent kidney stones - and, as kidney stones are a common presentation, how healthcare professionals can recognise when these cases may warrant further investigation.This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen.This episode of Talking General Practice has been funded by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and produced in collaboration with GPonline. It is intended for UK healthcare professionals only.Useful linksThinkPH1.euNational Kidney Federation – PH1About Alnylam PharmaceuticalsAlnylam is a leading biopharmaceutical company and the pioneer in RNA interference (RNAi), a revolutionary approach to treating diseases which “silences” the genes that cause or contribute to them. Founded in 2002 by a group of distinguished researchers and biotech leaders, Alnylam has translated the Nobel Prize-winning science of RNAi into an innovative class of medicines, with the belief that the RNAi approach to treating disease has the potential to help people around the world live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The GPonline team discusses the ongoing dispute between the government and the BMA GP committee in England after a GP and member of the BMA Council and BMA GP committee reported health and social care secretary Wes Streeting to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards for the language he’s used about the BMA in the dispute.They also look at the internal politics at the BMA itself after a member of the GP committee resigned citing concerns about a 'toxic and unbearable' environment.And they talk about AI in general practice, following a report by the Nuffield Trust think tank and the RCGP about how GPs are using new tech and some of the concerns about how it is being rolled out.Our good news story is about a GP who is bidding to become Christmas number 1 with her song song that forms part of a campaign challenging stigma around women’s anatomy and periods.This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower, deputy editor Nick Bostock and senior reporter Kimberley Hackett. It was produced by Czarina Deen.Useful linksGP makes formal complaint over Wes Streeting behaviour towards BMADoctor resigns from BMA England GP committee claiming it is 'toxic and unbearable’How could 'wider consultation' shape the GP contract for 2026/27?Quarter of GPs use AI but 'wild west' rollout sparks safety fearsViewpoint: How can general practice make best use of AI?Dr Aziza Sesay’s songDownload on SpotifyDownload on Apple Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.