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Latest Medeconomics articles

Network DES could cost practices thousands each year, warn LMCs

A group of LMCs has warned it 'cannot recommend' GPs sign up to revised plans for primary care networks (PCNs), warning the deal could cost practices thousands of pounds a year.

Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) for GP practices

Medeconomics highlights the latest guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) for GP practices. Updated to include a new list of specified countries and use of personal protective equipment.

GP contract: Overhaul of bureaucracy in general practice promised

Revalidation, referral processes, coding of patient data and mandatory training requirements could be overhauled under a drive to ease unsustainable workload by reducing bureaucracy in general practice.

End-of-year checklist for GP practices

A round-up of what practices in England need to do by the end of March 2020.

QOF quality improvement: Early cancer diagnosis module explained

For 2020/21, early diagnosis of cancer will be included in the QOF's quality improvement domain. Medeconomics looks at what practices will need to do.

QOF quality improvement: Learning disabilities module explained

Supporting people with learning disabilities is one of the QOF's quality improvement modules for 2020/21. Medeconomics explains what practices will need to do.

Advice on communicating with patients about coronavirus

Liz Price from the MDDUS provides some dos and don'ts on how practices should provide public health information about the coronavirus to patients.

PCN service specification: Supporting early cancer diagnosis

An overview of the network service specification.

PCN service specification: Enhanced health in care homes

An overview of the network service specification.

PCN service specification: Structured medication review and medicine optimisation

An overview of the network service specification.

Updates to private fees

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

PCNs: New workforce roles explained (updated for 2020)

Under the GP contract for 2020/21, the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme has been changed and will now provide 100% funding for staff recruited and several new roles will be covered by the scheme. Medeconomics explains the changes.

GP contract 2020: What is the Impact and Investment Fund?

Primary care networks (PCNs) will be rewarded for performance from April 2020 with the introduction of the new Investment and Impact Fund.

What does the new GP contract mean for primary care networks?

Requirements for primary care networks (PCNs) from April have been significantly scaled back and funding increased to cover the full cost of hiring staff into additional roles.

Changes to vaccination payments under the GP contract

A radical overhaul of the way practices in England are paid for vaccinations – the most significant change to the system in 30 years – is to begin from this April under the GP contract.

QOF changes for 2020/21

Medeconomics provides details of changes to the QOF for 2020/21.

Overview of the GP contract for 2020/21

Medeconomics highlights the key points from the GP contract deal for 2020/21.

Managing overtime in a GP practice

Practices need a clear policy on overtime or 'additional hours' so managers know what is going on, staff know what is expected on them and costs are controlled.

How to manage your staff budget

With salaries being the biggest expense in any practice, there is increased pressure to manage staff costs effectively.

PCNs: Collaborating with other practices on staff issues

Medeconomics highlights where practice managers within a primary care network could collaborate on HR and staff issues, including new network staff, existing staff and locums.

PCNs: Collaborating with other practices on policies and processes

Advice on how practice managers within a primary care network could collaborate on practice policies and processes, including business continuity, data protection, safeguarding, complaints and IT systems.

Downloadable policy: Business continuity plan

This business continuity plan can be downloaded and adapted for use in your practice.

Business continuity checklist

Practices should ideally check and update their business continuity plan annually. This checklist can help ensure you've covered the key issues.

Business continuity: Risk assessments and impact analysis

All practices should have a disaster recovery or business continuity plan. Medeconomics explains how to prioritise services and assess risks for inclusion in your plan and highlights useful resources.

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