Latest articles

Latest Medeconomics articles

GDPR: Can patients amend their records?

With the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) about to come into force, practices could find themselves fielding more queries from patients concerned about the contents of their medical records. The MDU's Dr Carol Chu explains patients' rights.

Understanding the GDPR: Lawful processing of personal data

In the first part of a new series on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Dr Rachel Birch from Medical Protection explains what practices need to know about the legal basis for processing personal data and privacy notices.

Guide to practice mergers: The financial aspects of a merger

It is essential for practices to compare accounts and discuss financial issues early on in the merger process, explains Jenny Stone.

What is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?

From 25 May 2018 practices will be subject to new data protection regulations. Medeconomics provides an overview of the legislation.

What practices need to do under the GDPR

Both the BMA and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have released guidance on how the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which comes into effect on 25 May 2018, will impact on practices.

A practical guide to budgeting

Effective budgeting can help practices ensure they are a financial success. Laurence Slavin explains how to do this and provides a sample spreadsheet to help with calculations.

Benchmarking the practice's financial performance

Find out how well your practice is doing by comparing key statistics from your annual accounts with those of other practices, says Laurence Slavin. This article has been updated with figures for 2017.

How to present your practice to prospective partners

To recruit the right partner, practices must present potential benefits accurately and be clear about financial outlay and responsibilities, says Laurence Slavin.

What are practices' contractual obligations on e-referrals?

As part of the 2018/19 GP contract it will be a contractual requirement for practices to use the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS) for all referrals to first consultant-led outpatient appointments from October 2018.

Changes to violent patient regulations under 2018/19 GP contract

GP practices have been handed clearer powers to refuse to register violent patients under the GP contract for 2018/19.

How have the premises cost directions changed?

Practices will be able to access grants for 100% of the cost of improving or updating their building under long-awaited changes to the premises cost directions, which have been announced as part of the GP contract deal for 2018/19.

Vaccination and immunisation programmes for 2018/19

Under the 2018/19 GP contract in England there have been a number of changes to vaccination and immunisation programmes.

Details of Welsh GMS contract 2018/19

The Welsh GPC has confirmed details of the 2018/19 GMS contract for Wales, which includes an £11.67m funding boost and a significantly reduced QOF.

Updates to private fees

Details of the latest updates to the Medeconomics GP Fees Database.

Annual calendar of practice management: Staff issues

As part of your annual practice management calendar you should make sure staff appraisals and training are up to date.

Annual calendar of practice management: Risk assessments

It is good practice to repeat risk assessments at least annually, below is a list of things you will need to cover.

Annual calendar of practice management: Strategy and document updates

An overview of strategic management tasks, document updates and key meetings that should be undertaken each year.

Annual calendar of practice management

What practice managers need to review or address during a year.

Practices in England advised on flu vaccines to order for 2018-19

NHS England has written to practices, pharmacists and CCGs with advice on which flu vaccines to order for the 2018-19 flu season.

End-of-year checklist for GP practices

A round-up of what practices in England need to do by the end of March 2018.

Details of new Scottish GMS contract

GPs in Scotland have voted for a new GP contract that will change the way that practices are funded and starts the move towards a new pay structure for GPs. Medeconomics explains what the deal means.

New employee checklist

What documentation do practices need when a new member of staff, including GPs, join the team? This article includes a downloadable checklist to include with your HR records and links to up-to-date guidance.