GPC/BMA Survey
You will have recently received an email from the BMA/GPC outlining a GP survey that is being carried out. Please take a moment to complete this survey. The survey can be completed on a computer or mobile device and should take about 15 to 20 minutes. Some functionality may be reduced on mobile devices but your answers will be recorded once you click ‘continue’ at the end of the survey.

At a time when general practice is facing increasing and unprecedented workload pressures, a workforce crisis and inadequate resources, the BMA GPs committee wishes to hear from all GPs in England about how you would like to see general practice develop – and how it can best support your workload and future aspirations.  It is vital to design general practice around the needs of current and future GPs if we are to make general practice an attractive, rewarding and sustainable career option. This important and comprehensive survey of GPs is aimed at all GPs in England, of all denominations including GP trainees. We know that GPs have diverse career wishes, and even more so when stratified according to contract type or career stage. For example, the wishes of a newly qualified GP may differ from those approaching retirement; the perspective of a sessional GP may not be the same as a partner – and indeed the issues affecting salaried GPs may vary from that of freelance locums. That’s why it’s important the BMA hear from all GPs – not just a sub-section. The survey results can be broken down into individual categories to help develop general practice to accommodate this range of views.

The survey asks searching and challenging questions, and importantly it asks what sort of environment GPs want to work in, as well as their personal career intentions.

It is therefore very important that GPs think carefully before they answer the questions.

The survey will ask GPs in England about:

• their current experience, including workload pressures
• their future working preferences, and contractual options
• their views around collaborative structures of general practice
• information about how practices are funded.

GPC England will use the survey results to help inform our negotiations with the Government and NHS England as we aim to turn around the parlous state of the profession into one that is sustainable, offering hope to existing and future GPs.

That is why, as a GP working in England, it is so important that you fill in the survey to play a part in empowering GPC England to help develop a model of general practice that is crucially based on your views and wishes.
Make sure your voice is heard!

GP Induction & Refresher Scheme
Getting back into general practice? Find out the key changes to the national induction and refresher scheme following the 2016 review. Find out more in GPC updated guidance.

Christmas and New Year Opening
It is coming to that time of year again and NHS England (national) have recently circulated a letter to commissioners for practices about guidance for the Christmas and New Year period. We would like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to the guidance with which you may wish to refresh yourself ensure that patients are adequately provided for over this period.

RMBF Occupational Health Guidance – Vital Signs of Primary Care, seeking advice and support
“The Vital Signs in Primary Care: A guide for GPs seeking help and advice” written for the RMBF by Dr Richard Stevens sets out the key stress and pressure points for GPS and GP Trainees, seeks to provide practical advice, and signposts support and resources for those experiencing stress and difficulty.

Sessional GP Newsletter & Update
This latest GPC Sessional GP Newsletter includes articles covering the indicative locum rate that was recently announced, pension advice and information on tax relief for locum doctors.

GPC letter to Simon Stephens re Vulnerable Practices
You can view the letter sent by Chaand Nagpaul, Charim of GPC, to Simon Stephens here.

NHS England Data Collection
Reminder The first return of the biannual extended access survey is open for submission until 31 October 2016 inclusive.

The Government’s mandate to NHS England has a commitment to ensure everyone has easier and more convenient access to GP services, including appointments at evening and weekends. From October 2016, as set out in regulations, every GP practice in England will be required to submit an online return twice a year through the Primary Care Web Tool: www.primarycare.nhs.uk within a new module titled “Biannual Extended Access”. This will set out what access to appointments the practice offers to patients either itself or through other arrangements, seven days a week.  This module is automatically available to GP practice staff who currently have ability to submit mandatory data returns to NHS England.

GP Registrars and the Performers List
We have received the following message from PCSE:

I can confirm that the lists of GPRs in the August 2016 cohort have been received from HEE.  All of these GPRs (except those with an FTP concern) are being accepted onto the performers list as per the national agreement between NHS England and HEE, which you considered and supported.  Each GPR will receive an email in the next few days confirming their acceptance on to the MPL.  This will be followed up by a letter once the notifications and updates to the PL website have all been completed (this may take a little longer hence the early email). The small number of GPRs with a fitness to practice concern are being reviewed by the national team, with a view to inclusion  with a condition if necessary.  The same communication process will follow once this decision has been made.

We are also in receipt of the February 2016 cohort details.  These are being checked to ensure they are all included on MPL and follow up action will occur if this is not the case. We will follow a similar process for the Feb 2017 cohort as set out above for August, once all the current trainees, from all primary care services, are included in the relevant PL.

Thank you for your continued support – I would be grateful if you can reassure any GPRs that raise concern that this is being addressed to prevent wide spread emails into PCSE which will distract from the urgent actions in hand for all current new applicants to PL.

Community Pharmacy and Pharmacy Integration Fund
Following the announcement from the Department of Health about the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) 20th October 2016, this briefing provides further information about the NHS England response to the announcement and the launch of the Pharmacy Integration Fund. Further information will be coming about the urgent medicines supply pilot by December 2016.