Click the date to collapse or expand all entries
How to apply to have nutritional or dermatological products reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS).
( 5
min )
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) monitors and reports on the health effects of fluoride for people living in areas covered by water fluoridation schemes.
( 4
min )
The GMC is consulting on updated guidance about how healthcare professionals can provide good and safe patient care in line with their personal beliefs and values.
( 2
min )
GP practices across England have been asked to provide MenB vaccination to students from the University of Kent who have returned home.
( 2
min )
The GPonline team discusses the government's new neighbourhood health framework, changes to advice and guidance under the GP contract and the results of our annual locum GP survey.
( 2
min )
The new chair of a major review into medical training has pledged to bring the “dial up” system into the modern era. Professor Dame Jane Dacre has been appointed by NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care to implement the Medical Education and Training Review, delivering change to UK’s creaking medical training […]
( 4
min )
This is an agreement between the government and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) on the use of genetic test results in underwriting insurance policies.
( 5
min )
Guidance for GP practices, hospitals, hospices and medical examiner offices about when to order more MCCDs and what to do with completed MCCDs.
( 7
min )
Sets out how the UK and devolved governments will continue to work closely and collaboratively together on blood safety and quality policy.
( 3
min )
Sets out how the UK and devolved governments will continue to work closely and collaboratively together on organs and non-reproductive tissues and cells policy.
( 3
min )
Provides guidance on how DHSC group bodies should lay their annual report and accounts before Parliament.
( 3
min )
Study of alcohol or drug treatment requirements assessing engagement and reconviction outcomes using justice (including probation notes) and health data.
( 5
min )
Data on the life sciences sector in the UK and other countries.
( 4
min )
Statistics and commentary on abortions carried out in 2023.
( 3
min )
Almost three in five locum GPs in England have been unable to secure the amount of work they need during the past twelve months, a GPonline poll suggests.
( 2
min )
Data on deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS) in local authorities, including the profile of people for whom a DoLS application was received.
( 2
min )
The government will better protect and strengthen the visiting rights for people in health and care settings, following a review of Regulation 9a.
( 7
min )
Information on how the 2024 voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access and growth (VPAG) is controlling spend on branded medicines in the NHS.
( 3
min )
Seeks views from individuals, professionals and organisations about visiting and accompanying in care homes, hospitals and hospices in England since Regulation 9A came into force on 6 April 2024.
( 6
min )
Report bringing together data on the delivery of globally competitive clinical research through the UK Clinical Research Delivery programme.
( 3
min )
GP locum sessions booked in the early part of 2026 are significantly up from last year, data from a sessional GP organisation suggests.
( 2
min )
The government’s long-awaited neighbourhood health framework has made improving GP access and expanding the use of advice and guidance central to its plans.
( 2
min )
GP and hospital contracts will remain the 'primary vehicles of delivery' for NHS services as neighbourhoods are rolled out across the health service - and single- or multi-neighbourhood provider contracts will only be deployed where ICBs think they are needed, long-awaited government guidance reveals.
( 3
min )
A revamped Carr-Hill formula could take effect from 1 April 2027 - and guidance on neighbourhoods is 'almost complete' and will be published soon, a health minister has told parliament.
( 2
min )
A revamped Carr-Hill formula could take effect from 1 April 2027 - and guidance on neighbourhoods is 'almost complete' and will be published soon, a health minister has told parliament.
( 2
min )
How ICBs, local authorities, health and wellbeing boards and other partners should create and deliver neighbourhood health services.
( 3
min )
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients will receive better care closer to home under a landmark £10million partnership
( 13
min )
The Secretary of State Wes Streeting updated the House on the meningitis outbreak and the latest steps being taken to support those affected.
( 9
min )
Statement setting out advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on the use of chikungunya vaccines in UK travellers.
( 3
min )
Report bringing together data on the delivery of clinical research across the UK. It will include data on reducing the set-up time for commercial interventional clinical trials to fewer than 150 days.
( 2
min )
Members confirmed for new Maternity and Neonatal taskforce chaired by the Health and Social Care Secretary to deliver improvements on maternity
( 12
min )
Average rates paid to locum GPs by practices have fallen slightly over the past year in England, but risen in the other UK nations, according to analysis by GPonline's sister site GP Business.
( 2
min )
GP practices have been told to review how they record data on 'clinically urgent' appointments as NHS England prepares to publish figures on same-day access following GP contract changes from April.
( 2
min )
Exclusive: GP practices in Liverpool have been left with a ‘ludicrous’ amount of extra work informing patients that their hospital referrals have been rejected - in some cases almost a year after they were made.
( 2
min )
General practice needs clarity on its future role in a changing NHS and a simpler contractual framework that allows flexibility to meet the needs of local populations, a leading GP organisation has said.
( 3
min )
Information for adult social care employers in England on learning and development support.
( 6
min )
Grant determination for the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme in the financial year 2025 to 2026.
( 4
min )
Guidance outlining the criteria and process for accessing funding for the assessed and supported year in employment in adult social care.
( 3
min )
A grant determination letter outlining funding conditions and eligibility requirements to claim funding for the assessed and supported year in employment in adult social care.
( 3
min )
This guidance outlines the criteria and process for accessing funding for user-led organisations in adult social care.
( 3
min )
A grant determination letter outlining funding conditions and eligibility requirements to claim funding for user-led organisations in adult social care.
( 3
min )
Contact details of the people in child death overview panels (CDOPs) who are responsible for receiving child death notifications.
( 9
min )
Sweeping NHS reforms pushed through by the government are causing 'widespread disruption', according to health service leaders who described handling of ICB cuts as a 'shitshow' and hit out at a lack of clarity over how neighbourhoods fit with general practice.
( 2
min )
Sweeping NHS reforms pushed through by the government are causing 'widespread disruption', according to health service leaders who described handling of ICB cuts as a 'shitshow' and hit out at a lack of clarity over how neighbourhoods fit with general practice.
( 2
min )
A GP federation has reduced waiting times for ADHD assessments and treatment with a community-based service led by GPs and mental health nurses.
( 2
min )
BMA sessional GP committee co-chairs Dr Amy Small and Dr Kim Rollinson speak to GPonline editor Emma Bower.
( 2
min )
Almost 1 in 7 NHS staff (14.47%) were physically attacked by a patient or the public last year – the highest rate for 3 years – according to the latest NHS staff survey. The shocking statistics also found a record percentage of staff say they were subjected to unwanted sexual behaviour by the same group […]
( 4
min )
The NHS has faced its busiest winter on record while bringing waiting lists to their lowest for almost 3 years. New figures out today show the number people attending A&E between November and February topped 9 million (9,110 591) this winter for the first time in NHS history – along with almost 130,000 more patients […]
( 4
min )
How commissioners should establish, monitor and assure the quality of public health nursing services delivered under the healthy child programme in England.
( 4
min )
GP leaders have hit out at plans to make advice and guidance a mandatory part of the NHS referral process - warning it risks piling unfunded work onto GPs and delaying patient access to specialist treatment.
( 2
min )
Some GP practices have confirmed they have pulled out of delivering flu jabs because of underfunding - and LMC leaders say more could follow.
( 2
min )
Changes to funding streams under the 2026/27 GP contract could leave practices and PCNs facing challenging cashflow issues in the year ahead, a specialist medical accountant has warned.
( 2
min )
Plans to make advice and guidance mandatory from April could put patients at risk - and NHS England should publish clinical evidence to support the change, an LMC has warned.
( 2
min )
The government's response to the Health and Social Care Select Committee's fourth report of session 2024 to 2026 into community mental health services.
( 3
min )
Non-executive appointments to the Department of Health and Social Care's public bodies and committees from April 2025 to March 2026.
( 6
min )
Secretary of State Wes Streeting appoints Donna Ockenden to lead the independent review into Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust's maternity and neonatal service
( 11
min )
Sets out the technical detail of each adult social care outcomes framework (ASCOF) measure.
( 4
min )
Boost for patients as the government bolsters the dental workforce by thousands.
( 10
min )
General practice is 'critically endangered and facing extinction', warns the BMA in its latest campaign to highlight the challenges facing the profession. GPonline looks at the union's arguments to support this.
( 2
min )
The 2026/27 GP contract could push GPs into early retirement, cause an increase in patient complaints and lead to staff redundancies, LMCs have warned.
( 2
min )
GPs have been warned to be 'vigilant’ after doctors were targeted by fraudsters who are impersonating the GMC and asking for money.
( 2
min )
GPs can charge professional fees for completing safeguarding reports or attending case conferences, the BMA has said, after receiving legal advice on the issue.
( 2
min )
The public health grant allocations and monetary conditions for local authorities to improve health in local populations.
( 3
min )
Around 80,000 people will be better supported in the community following an increase in funding for nursing care.
( 4
min )
More than 10,000 calls have been made to Martha’s Rule helplines in the first 16 months of the NHS scheme, saving lives and helping thousands of patients benefit from changes to their care. New NHS England data shows that one in three calls (34%, 3,457) to Martha’s Rule by patients, families and staff identified rapid […]
( 5
min )
The equality impact assessment presents the impacts of the 10 Year Health Plan for England.
( 3
min )
The government plans to crack down on illegal underage sunbed use to cut cancer risks to teenagers.
( 11
min )
Posters and leaflets for NHS trusts to use to inform overseas visitors and migrants about access to healthcare in the NHS.
( 4
min )
A letter that NHS providers can share with clinicians at their trust to explain that a patient must pay for their NHS treatment in England.
( 3
min )
Letters requesting information to determine if patients can receive free NHS treatment and asking for payment in England.
( 3
min )
Findings from a survey of CQC-registered care providers in England on their use of care technology and barriers to further adoption.
( 3
min )
Exclusive: GP practices have missed out on thousands of pounds in vaccine reimbursements because of IT and staffing issues.
( 2
min )
A review of the agreement between the government and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) on the use of genetic test results in underwriting insurance policies.
( 3
min )
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care responds to Baroness Casey of Blackstock’s recommendations for immediate action on adult social care.
( 3
min )
Liz Chinchen to work with ministers and senior officials on industrial relations in health and social care.
( 4
min )
How the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) puts together the statistics in its quarterly reports.
( 3
min )
Official statistics on the number of people receiving adult social care services, and information on adult social care settings.
( 4
min )
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Core GP funding will rise to £128.69 per patient and the maximum ARRS salary for a GP will move to almost £115,000 from April, GP leaders have revealed.
( 2
min )
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The GMS contract package for 2026/27 will leave practices worse off, with increased workload - and threatens to strip GPs of their right to refer, BMA England GP committee chair Dr Katie Bramall has warned.
( 3
min )
BMA England GP committee chair Dr Katie Bramall speaks to GPonline editor Emma Bower about the 2026/27 GP contract and the BMA’s referendum on the deal, which launched this week.
( 4
min )
The World Health Organization (WHO), together with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), congratulates Chile for becoming the first country in the Americas – and the second globally – to be officially verified as having eliminated leprosy disease.
( 12
min )
GP practices that appoint a manager as a partner are significantly less likely to close or merge, research shows.
( 2
min )
Exclusive: GPs will likely return to collective action in April and could move to a ballot on full-day walkouts in summer if they reject the 2026/27 contract in a BMA referendum opening today.
( 3
min )
Exclusive: GPs will likely return to collective action in April and could move to a ballot on full-day walkouts in summer if they reject the 2026/27 contract in a BMA referendum opening today.
( 3
min )
The government will confirm total 2026/27 funding for the additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS) when it announces the final pay rise for GPs - which will be informed by advice from the Doctors and Dentists Review Body (DDRB), GPonline has learned.
( 3
min )
Data on the funds collected by the Compensation Recovery Unit and funds paid to the NHS.
( 3
min )
Consultation seeking views on proposals to give ministers limited powers to direct the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in setting the standard cost-effectiveness threshold.
( 4
min )
GP practices in England will be expected to follow 'locally agreed referral pathways' from April as the £80m advice and guidance DES for 2025/26 is scrapped, a senior NHS official has said - and most are already meeting a new requirement to offer same-day access for urgent patients.
( 3
min )
GP practices in England will be expected to follow 'locally agreed referral pathways' from April as the £80m advice and guidance DES for 2025/26 is scrapped, a senior NHS official has said - and most are already meeting a new requirement to offer same-day access for urgent patients.
( 3
min )
Healthcare leaders have shared their views on how the neighbourhood model is already transforming care and increasing trust in public services including general practice.
( 3
min )
Reframe Cancer, a provider of specialist cancer navigation, has acquired digital cancer prehabilitation business Alvie Health.
( 21
min )
The AI Centre for Value-Based Healthcare and deepc has launched an open source platform to help scale healthcare AI.
( 21
min )
Exclusive: York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has delayed the go-live of its Nervecentre electronic patient record system.
( 22
min )
We are seeking views on the 2018 review of the UK nutrient profiling model.
( 7
min )
We are seeking views on the 2018 review of the UK nutrient profiling model.
( 7
min )
Scrapping capacity and access payments to create a practice-level GP recruitment fund risks overshadowing any benefit to practices from the overall £485m funding uplift in the 2026/27 GP contract package, experts warn.
( 3
min )
Plans to make advice and guidance a part of core general practice work from April as the current £80m DES is scrapped risks undermining GPs' role and patient safety, warns London GP Dr Tom Riddington.
( 3
min )
Nearly 1 in 4 people have missed an NHS appointment because they forgot or arrived too late, according to a new survey. The NHS has launched a new campaign urging people to turn on ‘push alerts’ from the NHS App so they get reminders about appointments and can rearrange any they can’t make, helping to […]
( 5
min )
Patients across England will benefit from new bone scanners to diagnose fragile bones earlier and prevent painful, life-changing fractures.
( 10
min )
The fifth action plan shows how the Department of Health and Social Care and delivery partners are implementing the UK Rare Diseases Framework in England.
( 3
min )
Sets out medicines that can be moved to Northern Ireland to meet patient need.
( 47
min )
The principles underlying the programme and the expectations that public health nursing teams are expected to meet when delivering services in England.
( 4
min )
Switching the NHS vehicle fleet to electric will save the health sector millions and help reduce 460 million miles worth of journeys across England.
( 10
min )
ChatGPT Health incorrectly triages more than half of medical emergencies and frequently fails to detect suicidal ideation, a study found.
( 22
min )
Brainomix, a stroke and lung fibrosis AI imaging tool provider, has announced a £4.8m funding extension to expand its operations in the US.
( 21
min )
NHS England is seeking an interim chief information officer (CIO) following the departure of John Quinn last year.
( 22
min )
The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced recommendations for the viral composition of influenza (or “flu”) vaccines for the 2026-2027 northern hemisphere influenza season. The announcement was made following a 4-day consultation examining global influenza surveillance data.
( 8
min )
GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock discuss GP contract changes for 2026/27 and how they could affect practices.
( 2
min )
The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Denmark for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis, recognizing the country's sustained commitment to ensuring every child is born free of these infections.
( 9
min )
GPs and GP registrars across England will be asked to vote in a referendum on the GMS contract package for 2026/27 - after the deal was rejected 'ovewhelmingly' by the BMA England GP committee.
( 2
min )
All GPs and GP registrars in England will be asked to vote in a referendum on the GMS contract package for 2026/27 - after the deal was rejected 'ovewhelmingly' by the BMA England GP committee.
( 2
min )
GPonline editor Emma Bower explains some of the problems with the updated GP contract for 2026/27 in England.
( 2
min )
Ambulance crews and A&E staff have slashed handover delays by more than 7 minutes this winter – even as they ferried the highest number of patients to hospital in half a decade. Figures out today show that more than 1.2million patients were handed over (1,234,731) to A&Es by ambulances so far this winter. This is […]
( 4
min )
Dr Melanie Ivarsson, chief executive of the Health Data Research Service (HDRS), is the latest confirmed speaker at Rewired 2026.
( 22
min )
Today's round-up features a study that demonstrates AI may be no more effective than Google at identifying health conditions.
( 23
min )
NHS England has awarded a contract worth £33.6 million to TPXimpact for the delivery of digital and data services relating to vaccinations.
( 22
min )
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust is partnering with a charity to connect health data for rare disease research.
( 15
min )
The annual flu letter describes the national flu immunisation programme and outlines which groups are eligible for flu vaccination.
( 3
min )
Details the government’s plan to transform cancer care and outcomes in England by 2035.
( 3
min )
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, today concluded the first day of his two-day State visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, underscoring the strong partnership between WHO and Jordan across the areas of universal health coverage (UHC), mental health and humanitarian health action.
( 10
min )
Mike Fell, director of national cyber operations at NHS England has announced that he will step down from his role in May.
( 15
min )
Ten female entrepreneurs from across Yorkshire and Humber have developed ideas for digital health innovations into workable concepts.
( 22
min )
A pilot of AI-scribing technology at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust found that 87% of users saved time on admin tasks.
( 22
min )
Health and social care leaders - including GPs - should not hold off moving care into the community while they wait for guidance on neighbourhood working, government and NHS officials have said.
( 2
min )
The leader of the BMA England GP committee is facing a call to step down over the collapse in the profession's relationship with government at a pivotal moment for general practice.
( 2
min )
Patients will receive better support to help them stay in and get back to work in areas of high economic inactivity.
( 10
min )
The Government's summary of a Commission Delegated Regulation on the assignment of UDIs for spectacle frames, spectacle lenses and reading spectacles.
( 3
min )
Patients to benefit from improved access to GP appointments under new contract backed by nearly £500 million.
( 9
min )
Reports on departmental staff numbers and costs.
( 3
min )
A clear, practical guide to help buyers and SMEs build a fair, inclusive environment that can deliver better health outcomes and support SME growth.
( 4
min )
Guidance for local authorities on how to complete the deferred payment agreements (DPAs) return for the 2025 to 2026 reporting period.
( 4
min )
The cash uplift promised in the 2026/27 GP contract will leave practices 'treading water', while plans to strip £292m from PCNs to fund practice-level GP recruitment threaten 'major cashflow problems', accountants have warned.
( 2
min )
GPonline outlines what's set to change under the GP contract in 2026/27.
( 2
min )
General practice will be handed £292m stripped from PCNs to fund practice-level GP recruitment - and additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS) roles will be opened up to experienced GPs under changes to the GP contract for 2026/27.
( 3
min )
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Register for free learning every evening from 9-12 March to gain CPD hours and support your patients.
( 4
min )
None of the GP contract updates for 2026/27 outlined so far will help deliver government aims of tackling inequality, moving care out of hospital or prioritising prevention, GP leaders have warned.
( 2
min )
Ireland has launched a digital mental health strategy to increase access to services through technology and improve digital health literacy.
( 22
min )
Today's briefing includes X-on Health's launch of Omni Consult and a study on simplifying complex medical results for patients using AI.
( 13
min )
In the latest episode, Marcus Baw calls for a rethink of NHS technology strategy, arguing that the service has drifted away from open source.
( 10
min )
A partnership between NorthWest eHealth and OneAdvanced is integrating primary care data into clinical trials to make UK research safer.
( 12
min )
Tens of thousands of people living with vitiligo affecting their face are to be offered the first approved medicine on the NHS to restore lost skin colour. The new cream, known as ruxolitinib, will be offered to nearly 100,000 people aged 12 and over who have a form of the condition where white patches typically […]
( 5
min )
GP practices will have to provide same-day access to urgent patients and face new QOF targets on obesity and diabetes under the 2026/27 GP contract.
( 2
min )
GP practices will face new QOF obesity targets in the 2026/27 contract - and could see extra freedom around additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS) cash, new targets on same-day access for urgent patients and changes to PCN requirements, GPonline understands.
( 3
min )
Development of NHS neighbourhood models without clear guidance or contracts to shape them risks entrenching existing power imbalances in the health service - unless GPs take the initiative now to secure a leading role, the BMA has warned.
( 2
min )
The 2026/27 GP contract, which will be published later this week, will overhaul QOF targets for childhood immunisations and introduce a requirement for practices to share data to support lung cancer screening, the government has said.
( 2
min )
The 2026/27 GP contract, which will be published later this week, will include an overhaul of QOF targets for childhood immunisations and introduce a requirement for practices to share data to support lung cancer screening, the government has said.
( 2
min )
Clinical investigations of medical devices reached their highest level on record in 2025, according to figures from the MHRA.
( 12
min )
Mind is launching an AI and Mental Health Commission to address concerns about inappropriate and dangerous mental health guidance from AI.
( 12
min )
New changes to the GP contract will help protect thousands more children across the country from deadly and highly infectious diseases.
( 8
min )
Patients across the country will have better access to NHS dentistry, boosting earlier intervention, prevention and continuity of care.
( 9
min )
Public health officials have issued advice to parents after rising rates of E. coli infections impacting young children. Shiga Toxin producing E.coli (STEC) infections surged by 26% in England in 2024, UK Health Security Agency figures show. The increase was partly driven by an outbreak linked to contaminated salad leaves, which caused 196 cases in
The post Health officials warn of rising E. coli cases in young children appeared first on Pulse Today.
( 7
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A new NHS England FAQ document appeared to water down ‘immediate actions’ which were issued to GP practices immediately following the publication of the Leng review into physician associates (PAs). NHS England wrote to organisations last week (15 August) to address ‘short-term uncertainty for affected staff groups’ and ‘provide clarity for staff, patients, and employers’
The post NHSE FAQ waters down physician associate review actions for GP practices appeared first on Pulse Today.
( 9
min )
GPs could face a significant rise in prescribing and monitoring workload under draft NICE guidelines that recommend much earlier use of newer type 2 diabetes drugs. The draft guidance, published today, would see SGLT-2 inhibitors started first-line for most diabetics – not just those with heart failure, cardiovascular disease or high cardiovascular risk as is
The post Type 2 diabetes guideline shake-up to see first-line SGLT-2 prescribing appeared first on Pulse Today.
( 10
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NHS England has today published the patient charter – which stipulates the right of patients including on access and registration – which GP practices must display from October. Titled ‘You and Your General Practice‘, the charter includes rules for GP practices and guidance for patients. The GP contract 2025/26 first mentioned the ‘patient charter’, which
The post NHSE sets out finalised ‘patient charter’ rules that practices must abide by appeared first on Pulse Today.
( 12
min )
Almost 1,500 GPs signed a petition from UK primary care professionals calling for the RCGP to take ‘action on the Gaza child health crisis’. The petition, hosted by the group Care in Conflict, called on the college to publicly support a ceasefire, condemn the use of healthcare obstruction, and ‘join or lead a coalition’ of
The post Almost 1,500 GPs ask RCGP to take firmer stance on Gaza health crisis appeared first on Pulse Today.
( 8
min )
Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) across England are now offering more evening and weekend appointments, the Government has announced. From this month, 100 centres are operating 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Ministers said this will make it easier for patients to attend scans and tests around work and family commitments, and claimed that
The post Government announces expansion of out-of-hours scans and tests appeared first on Pulse Today.
( 7
min )
Exclusive More than a fifth of PCNs have cut the number of physician associates they employ in the past year, a Pulse and Management in Practice survey has found. The survey polled GPs and practice managers, with 21% of respondents from 425 distinct PCNs reporting a reduction in PA numbers in the last 12 months.
The post One in five PCNs reduced their use of physician associates in the past year appeared first on Pulse Today.
( 11
min )
An immunotherapy for type 1 diabetes has been approved for use in the UK, in a move which could mark a ‘turning point’ in treatment of the condition if eligible patients could be identified. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said teplizumab, also known as Tzield, is safe and effective at delaying the
The post MHRA approves immunotherapy which delays development of type 1 diabetes appeared first on Pulse Today.
( 8
min )
The husband and a family friend of a GP who died last year in a paddleboarding accident will cycle the length of Britain to raise money in her memory. Julia McLean – known professionally as Dr Julia Hamilton – died in May last year near Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands. The ‘well-loved’ GP had been a partner at the
The post Husband of ‘well-loved’ GP to cycle length of Britain for charity in her memory appeared first on Pulse Today.
( 7
min )
Exclusive The BMA has demanded urgent Government intervention over ‘unaffordable’ GP premises service charges, which have caused deep financial instability and forced some practices to hand back their contracts. The union’s GP committee pointed out ‘ongoing and unresolved issues’ faced by practices over service charges levied by NHS Property Services (NHSPS) and Community Health Partnerships
The post BMA demands Government intervention over ‘unaffordable’ GP premises charges appeared first on Pulse Today.
( 9
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Case of the month: In the next in our series, Dr Andy Eaton asks what else might be going on in this mid-40s male patient presenting with fever, vomiting and diarrhoea following a bout of ‘gastric flu’ in his household. Post your answers below! Details of the case have been changed to ensure patient anonymity
The post What could be the cause of this patient’s apparent ‘gastric flu’ symptoms? appeared first on Pulse Today.
( 8
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A rapid evolving guideline has recommended two key drugs be prescribed in all patients with type 2 diabetes who are at higher risk of cardiovascular and kidney complications. Alongside those at most high risk, SGLT-2 inhibitor and GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs should also be prescribed to ‘most’ adults with type 2 diabetes who fall into
The post ‘Living’ guideline advises GPs on use of GLP-1 and SGLT-2 drugs in type 2 diabetes appeared first on Pulse Today.
( 8
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Under the radar: Continuing our series exploring diagnoses that might be missed in primary care, Dr Sharon Viner describes a case of abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation in a young adult under 50 whose age could potentially have delayed investigation for upper gastrointestinal cancer Note details of the case have been changed to ensure anonymity
The post Spotting gastric cancer – how age must not lead us astray appeared first on Pulse Today.
( 10
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GPs have raised concerns after their ICB decided not to reprocure a local community gynaecology service, leaving patients ‘in limbo’ and increasing workload for practices. Provider Primary Integrated Community Services (PICS), owned and run by GP and practice partners in Nottinghamshire, stopped delivering its service at the beginning of this month, having served notice to the
The post GP workload concern after ICB fails to reprocure community gynaecology service appeared first on Pulse Today.
( 8
min )
Public health officials are warning of an increase in cases of chikungunya in England after travellers caught the infection abroad. There have been 73 cases in the first six months of the year, the UK Health Security Agency said compared with 27 cases in the same period in 2024. It is the highest number of
The post Cases of chikungunya almost triple in England among people travelling overseas appeared first on Pulse Today.
( 8
min )
Editor Sofia Lind on why GPC England should not abandon potential plans for new collective action just yet Earlier this week, health secretary Wes Streeting wrote to every GP in England to say the Government remains committed to the partnership model and to negotiating a new GP contract within this Parliament. It’s the first time
The post Streeting’s letter is welcome – but not reason to stand down appeared first on Pulse Today.
( 8
min )
The trade union for physician associates is seeking to prevent NHS England from implementing the recommendations of the Government’s review into the role while it is in the middle of a judicial review into the changes. United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAPs) said it is seeking an injunction against NHS England to stop it from ‘rapidly forcing through
The post PA union seeks injunction against NHS England in bid to pause changes to the role appeared first on Pulse Today.
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Two major GP premises owners in England will merge in a £1.8bn deal, the companies have confirmed. Primary Health Properties (PHP) – which owns 516 primary healthcare facilities valued at £2.8bn – and property investor and developer Assura, whose 603 buildings are worth £3.2bn with the majority being GP premises, are to merge after shareholders voted in
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The Government has announced a pilot to test new ways to support patients living with obesity, in a bid to ‘ease pressures’ on general practice. ICBs will be asked to submit bids to pilot ‘innovative models of care’ for people living with obesity, outside of existing specialist weight management services, including wraparound services, obesity treatments
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NHS England has urged pregnant women to use a new service to self-refer directly to local maternity services, without seeing a GP first. By completing an online form on NHS.uk, families can now choose directly which NHS trust to refer themselves to. NHS England estimated that this service could lead to 180,000 fewer calls to
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The health secretary has written to all GP practices in England thanking them for their ‘tireless efforts’ and reaffirming the Government’s commitment to the partnership model and a new GP contract. In a letter to practices, Wes Streeting said the Government ‘remains committed to the partnership model’ and that it will work with the BMA’s
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A retired GP was among at least 13 health workers arrested at protests against the proscription of the group Palestine Action on Saturday, according to a health worker protest group. The group formed a ‘health block’ at the protest in Parliament Square to draw attention to attacks on health workers in Gaza. It is estimated
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Talking therapies offered on the NHS for depression and anxiety appear to be less effective for teenagers and young adults, a study has found. Analysis of data from almost 310,000 patients aged 16-24 years who had an episode of treatment by the NHS Talking Therapies service found they were less likely to have improved or
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The BMA has written to the primary care minister asking to meet ‘at the earliest possible opportunity’ regarding the GP unemployment crisis. Over 3,000 GPs will gain their Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) this week, but the BMA said the lack of substantive work available means ‘many face uncertainty’. The union reiterated its demand
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Exclusive A GP practice could not locate the origin of a panic alarm due to an IT systems issue, in a critical incident highlighted by the LMC. YOR LMC medical secretary Dr Brian McGregor said he was told of a ‘critical incident’ at a practice in the Bradford District and Craven, West Yorkshire. He said
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Real-world analysis of the first season of vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has shown a dramatic impact on hospitalisation in both older people and newborns. An analysis done by the UK Health Security Agency found RSV vaccination was 82% effective against hospitalisation in older people this winter. It also showed it was ‘highly effective’
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Public health officials are warning people to be mindful of tick bites this summer. UK Health Security Agency officials advised the public to be alert to the signs of Lyme disease – including the telltale bullseye rash – and to seek quick to seek help from the GP if needed. It comes as the latest
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The Government has said it will be cracking down on ‘cowboy’ cosmetic procedures with new rules over who will be able to carry them out. Only qualified healthcare professionals will be able to perform the highest-risk procedures – such as non-surgical Brazilian butt lifts – and they must be working in providers that are registered
The post Government to limit high-risk cosmetic procedures to be carried out by doctors only appeared first on Pulse Today.
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GPs continue to struggle with their workload more than other doctor groups, according to new GMC data. The doctor regulator’s annual survey on the state of medical education and practice in the UK found 44% of GPs are struggling with workload, compared with just 29% of respondents overall. The figure for GPs was a slight
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Pulse editor-in-chief Jaimie Kaffash ponders the silence surrounding the future of newly-qualified GPs amid the ongoing unemployment crisis Remember the GP unemployment crisis? It seems so long ago now – that crazy situation where GP practices were short of GPs, but there were huge numbers of GPs out of work. Then the Government announced the GP ARRS
The post Why has it all gone quiet about the next cohort of qualified GPs? appeared first on Pulse Today.
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The UK medicines regulator has urged GP practices to report all ‘adverse incidents’ and ‘inaccuracies’ with artificial intelligence (AI) tools used in clinical practice to its Yellow Card Scheme. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)’s Yellow Card scheme, established for patients to report adverse reactions to medicines, has a specific reporting service for
The post MHRA asks GPs to report ‘all AI inaccuracies’ to Yellow Card scheme appeared first on Pulse Today.
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Pulse LIVE will return to Newcastle next month, with a keynote speech by the CQC’s primary care chief inspector, as well as expert-led presentations and networking. The event, worth 4.5 CPD hours, will take place on 17 September at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead. Professor Bola Owolabi, CQC chief inspector of primary care, will deliver the
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Public health officials are urging parents to get their children’s vaccinations up to date over the summer holidays over fears measles cases will surge further when school starts again in September. The latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show another 145 measles cases in the past four weeks, mainly in children under
The post Parents urged to book vaccine appointments for children in summer holidays appeared first on Pulse Today.
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The threat to health caused by air pollution is far greater than previously understood and requires urgent and ambitious action, the Royal College of Physicians has warned. Affecting almost every organ in the body, air pollution is a serious and avoidable health risk that could contribute to 30,000 deaths in 2025 alone, a report from
The post Air pollution is ‘public health crisis’, doctors warn appeared first on Pulse Today.
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NHS England has not changed physician associate (PA) role descriptions in line with Leng review recommendations in the PCN enhanced service specification. According to the PA trade union, this is due to the pending legal case it is bringing to challenge the recommendations, although NHS England did not confirm or deny this. The PCN DES
The post NHS England fails to update physician associate job description amid legal case appeared first on Pulse Today.
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The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programme in older adults should be expanded to include those over the age of 80 years, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended. It follows analysis that the introduction of RSV vaccination in 75-to-79-year-olds last September led to a significant reduction in hospital admissions among that age
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GPs should monitor patients who have taken weight-loss medication ‘for a minimum of one year’ after treatment is completed, according to a new NICE quality standard. Published today, the updated standard asks healthcare professionals including GPs to offer advice, follow-up support and provide tailored action plans including regular check-ins. The standard said they should ‘ensure
The post GPs should support patients for one year after GLP-1 treatment, says NICE appeared first on Pulse Today.
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The BMA has called for ‘clear financial arrangements’ to underpin the new neighbourhood care models proposed by the Government, following the 10-year plan’s lack of detail around funding. In new guidance to practices and GP federations, the union’s GP committee warned that without safeguards, the plan risks funding ‘flowing to higher tiers of the system’
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Do you have a strong sense of public duty? Do you mind being disliked by your peers? Would you make a good contestant on The Apprentice? Do you genuinely enjoy spending time with patients? If you feel that you want to add another string to your career bow – or you just want to waste five minutes –
The post What is the GP portfolio career for you? Take our quiz appeared first on Pulse Today.
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GP leaders have warned that Government plans to introduce ‘year of care payments’ – which could see other NHS organisations take on budgets for general practice services – can ‘only mean the end for the GMS contract’. The NHS 10-year plan pledged to introduce ‘a capitated budget for a patient’s care over a year’, which
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Pulse is launching a new platform for GP trainees, newly-qualified GPs and those considering the next stages of their career. The platform will be launched on Monday 4 August, and will provide all the essential news around jobs and recruitment, as well as analysis and advice, columns from experts and those who have stories to
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GP practices in one part of England are facing an ongoing IT systems outage which has forced them to hand-write forms, and caused huge backlogs and ‘severe’ disruption to services over the past week. The IT issues in West Yorkshire were caused by problems with data centres that support IT systems in primary care in
The post GPs resort to pen and paper as six-day IT outage ‘severely’ disrupts services appeared first on Pulse Today.
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The global sum for GP practices in England has been increased from £121.79 to £123.34 per patient to implement the 4% staff pay rise recommended by the pay review body, NHS England has confirmed. For 2025/26 the Government committed to ‘uplifting the pay element of the GP contract’ by 4% following the Review Body on Doctors’
The post Global sum increased by £1.55 per patient to implement DDRB GP pay uplift appeared first on Pulse Today.
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Clinical conundrum: In the next in our series, Dr Raj Thakkar considers how to manage a patient who presents with apparent tachycardia from a recording on her ‘Fitbit’ wearable device A 32-year-old woman’s ‘Fitbit’ wearable device shows that she has a resting tachycardia (of around 104bpm) and that her heart rate goes ‘too high’ during
The post How should this patient’s ‘Fitbit’-recorded tachycardia be managed? appeared first on Pulse Today.
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The BMA has threatened the GMC with new legal action over the regulator’s use of the term ‘medical professionals’ to cover both physician assistants and doctors, following the Government-commissioned review into the role by Professor Gillian Leng. In April, the High Court dismissed the BMA’s claims the GMC was ‘blurring the lines’ between PAs and
The post BMA threatens GMC with new legal action for ‘blurring lines’ between PAs and doctors appeared first on Pulse Today.
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The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has set out plans to expand primary care teams across the country as GPs plough on with collective action. Funding has been secured to push ahead with growing the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) programme which will ‘open up a million more appointments by 2033’, health minister Mike Nesbitt said.
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GPs in Suffolk were left to deal with thousands of duplicate pathology results following a ‘software failure’ at a hospital trust, which had ‘significant knock-on effects’ on practices. West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust confirmed to Pulse that 19 of the 24 GP practices in West Suffolk were affected by the incident, which was caused by
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Pulse editor-in-chief Jaimie Kaffash on how general practice should embrace the value and flexibility of the part-time GP I’ve got a little riddle for you. A father and son are involved in a car accident. The father dies immediately, and the son is rushed into A&E. The surgeon sees him and immediately says: ‘I can’t
The post We should not be embarrassed by part-time GP work appeared first on Pulse Today.
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Guidance produced by one ICB to help GPs support bereaved parents after the death of a child should be taken on board by practices around the country, the RCGP has said. A framework produced by Cheshire and Merseyside ICB to help GPs supporting bereaved parents noted that 3,500 children die every year in England. Child
The post GPs encouraged to take on ICB advice on supporting bereaved parents appeared first on Pulse Today.
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The Government has instructed GP practices to make anonymous patient data available to a data sharing platform to further medical research. A letter from NHS England to GPs said health secretary Wes Streeting has issued NHSE with ‘directions’ – a legal instrument – for practices to join the OpenSAFELY data analytics service by instructing their
The post GPs instructed to make anonymised patient data available for research appeared first on Pulse Today.
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The BMA has raised concerns around the ‘looming’ unemployment crisis as half of doctors finishing foundation training say they have no job secured for next month. According to the results of a survey by the union, 52% of doctors said they have no ‘substantive employment or regular locum work’ secured for August, when they finish
The post Half of doctors finishing foundation training will have no job next month, BMA warns appeared first on Pulse Today.
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The first 24/7 ‘neighbourhood mental health centre’ announced in the 10-year plan has now opened in London. Earlier this month, the Government pledged to ‘transform mental health services into 24/7 neighbourhood care models’ as part of the NHS 10-year plan. Now NHS England has announced that the first of six neighbourhood mental health centres – which
The post First 24/7 ‘neighbourhood mental health centre’ announced in 10-year plan now open appeared first on Pulse Today.
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Exclusive GP leaders in one area have advised practices to hold off from taking part in new ‘neighbourhood health programmes’, amid a lack of clarity and fears that these could jeopardise GMS contracts. Earlier this month, the Government announced the first phase of the rollout of neighbourhood health programmes following the 10-year plan, with 42
The post GPs advised not to take part in neighbourhood programmes yet amid ‘lack of clarity’ appeared first on Pulse Today.
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A study of more than 800 patients has found that most penicillin allergy labels in GP records are ‘incorrect’, pointing to increased antibiotic use and worse health outcomes for patients as a result. The trial in 51 GP practices found that almost nine in ten patients with a penicillin allergy label on their GP record
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The trade union for physician associates (PAs) has announced it is seeking a judicial review after the Government accepted recommendations made in the Leng review. United Medical Associate Professionals (UMAPS) – which was officially recognised as a trade union by the Government – said it sent pre-action letters to health secretary Wes Streeting and NHS
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GPs in Northern Ireland will begin collective action this week, implementing measures ‘designed to reduce the unfunded work they carry out’, the BMA has announced. Some of the actions which practices will take as part of this include limiting patient consultations, serving notice on any voluntary work and insisting on referrals for specialist appointments
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ARRS money should be moved into practice-level reimbursements to avoid GPs re-entering dispute with the Government over the 10-year plan, the BMA GP committee has demanded. In a letter to primary care minister Stephen Kinnock, GP Committee England chair Dr Katie Bramall also demanded the Government is ‘explicit’ in its preference for GPs to run
The post BMA demands ARRS money be given to GP practices to avoid further dispute appeared first on Pulse Today.
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In the second part of our mini series considering how the 10-year plan will influence a new GMS contract for general practice, Anna Colivicchi looks at what it will mean for GP funding The Government has promised to shift resources from secondary care into the community, as part of its big ambitions set out in
The post How will the NHS 10-year plan affect GP funding? appeared first on Pulse Today.
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An ICB has reversed its decision to transfer an APMS contract from a GP-led group to a private company. NHS Sussex ICB announced its decision yesterday (24 July) following an independent review which found it had breached transparency rules during the contract bidding process. The ICB had stated its intention to transfer the APMS contract for
The post Panel sides with GPs over private company in APMS contract dispute appeared first on Pulse Today.
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A large ICB has chosen a number of hospital trusts to oversee the new ‘neighbourhood health service’ across its footprint. South East London ICB said that, following the 10-year plan, it has approved partnerships between primary and secondary care, called ‘neighbourhood health service integrators’, in four of its six boroughs (see box). The ICB’s plan
The post ICB appoints hospital trusts – not GPs – to lead neighbourhood teams appeared first on Pulse Today.
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Case of the month – answers: In the latest in our series, Dr Keith Hopcroft asked what was the underlying cause in this patient with hypothyroidism failing to respond to treatment. Did you get the diagnosis? Answer revealed below! You review a 55-year-old woman who presented a few weeks previously with tiredness. She is on
The post What was the diagnosis in this case of treatment-resistant hypothyroidism? appeared first on Pulse Today.
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Community pharmacies will be able to offer flu vaccination for young children under a one-season trial this winter. Pharmacies that sign up to the advanced service will be able to offer flu vaccine to children aged 2-3 years from 1 October. The move is to try and boost uptake in this age group who would
The post Pharmacy-based flu vaccine service for children to be trialled this winter appeared first on Pulse Today.
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Speedy skins: The first in a new series of quick quizzes in dermatology asks – what is the likely diagnosis in this case of a woman with bilateral lower and upper limb rashes? AI was used to assist in development of this article, with thorough review by our medical advisors before publication
The post What’s causing this woman’s chronic rash on her ankles, feet and wrists? appeared first on Pulse Today.
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UK medicines regulators have approved an adrenaline nasal spray to treat anaphylaxis. The needle-free option can be used in adults and children weighing over 30kg, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said. Known as EURneffy, the epinephrine nasal spray delivers the full 2mg dose in one spray and can still be used if
The post Nasal spray alternative to anaphylaxis auto-injector approved for use in UK appeared first on Pulse Today.
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GPs have been instructed to consider patients’ learning disabilities and neurodivergence before removing them from their patient list, following a change to NHS England guidance and a coroner’s prevention of future deaths report. The coroner’s report into death of a 33-year-old Devon man ‘in crisis’ identified his removal from his GP practice and subsequent placement
The post GPs urged to take ‘additional considerations’ before placing patients on SAS scheme appeared first on Pulse Today.
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A study of 30 self-test health kits available on the high street has raised concerns over regulation after many were found to be ‘unfit for purpose’. The analysis showed a range of issues with test kits bought from supermarkets or pharmacies including poor or no information on when and why to do the tests as
The post Commercial self-test kits ‘unfit for purpose’ and increase GP workload, finds study appeared first on Pulse Today.
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The RCGP has opposed Government plans for acute and community trusts to run general practice, it has told its members. In a summary of the Government’s 10-year plan, the college said that while collaboration between providers is ‘important’, the RCGP ‘does not support trusts running general practice’. It added that any new models of neighbourhood
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Recognising the signs of sepsis continues to be an ‘urgent and persistent’ safety risk in the NHS, a series of reports have warned. The Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB), an independent arm’s length body of the Department of Health and Social Care, found ongoing challenges in early diagnosis of the life-threatening emergency. It highlighted
The post Sepsis continues to be ‘urgent and persistent’ safety risk in the NHS, reports warn appeared first on Pulse Today.
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‘Stubborn barriers’ to accessing childhood vaccinations, including around booking a GP appointment, are contributing to the ‘worrying decline’ in uptake, paediatricians have claimed. A report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said some parents face significant barriers getting their child vaccinated which is contributing to growing inequalities in coverage. The current system
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There will be ‘no additional funding’ for pay increases for doctors in the next financial year, the health secretary has told the independent pay review body. Wes Streeting wrote to the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB) yesterday to formally commence the annual pay review. He asked the new chair of the DDRB
The post ‘No additional funding’ for 2026/27 GP pay uplifts, Streeting tells DDRB appeared first on Pulse Today.
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