Emma Bower

GP practices and PCNs need longer-term contracts, with guaranteed annual uplifts to cover rising costs, if they are to deliver more hospital services in the community, a GP who has pioneered the 'left shift' of services has warned.

PCNs should refuse to take part in any local variations to the network contract DES unless any additional work they are asked to undertake is properly resourced, the BMA has said.

The new NHS Modernisation Bill will set out legislation required to create a single patient record, abolish NHS England, and transfer responsibility for commissioning primary care to ICBs.

UK GP leaders have voted in favour of moving towards hybrid NHS/private general practice, including balloting the profession in each country on introducing a means-tested, subscription-based service similar to NHS dentists.

Wes Streeting has resigned as health secretary, saying he has ‘lost confidence’ in prime minister Keir Starmer’s leadership. GPonline editor Emma Bower assesses his time in the post.

James Murray has been appointed health and social care secretary following the resignation of Wes Streeting.

The Health Bill announced as part of the King’s Speech this month sets out legislation for a single patient record, the abolition of NHS England and Healthwatch and sweeping new powers for the secretary of state. GPonline looks at what the plans mean for general practice.

GP practices should obtain expert HR advice before recruiting GPs under the new practice-level reimbursement scheme to ensure they understand any potential redundancy liabilities, a leading GP practice manager has warned.

The outdated GP funding formula should be replaced with an updated system for weighting payments per patient that reflects morbidity and deprivation, with further adjustments for practice capacity and unmet need, a study suggests.

Pharmacists who are independent prescribers will be able to assess patients and prescribe medicines directly in an expansion of Pharmacy First, the government has said.