Latest articles

Latest Medeconomics articles

Advice on reviewing your practice processes post-COVID

General practice has rapidly embraced new technology as a result of the pandemic. But which innovations will benefit your practice going forwards? Medeconomics provides a list of key issues to consider if practices want to review they way they work.

How practices can access additional funding for COVID-19

The government has finally signed off the COVID-19 support fund for general practice, which will allow practices to claim for additional expenses incurred during the pandemic. Medeconomics explains how it works.

Flu clinics in 2020: Issues for practices to consider

A checklist of issues that practices will need to consider as they plan their flu clinics against a backdrop of COVID-19.

Guidance summary: How practices can run flu clinics during the pandemic

Delivering a flu campaign that the government says will be the 'biggest in history' in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic will pose serious challenges. Guidance published by the RCGP offers advice on how key hurdles can be overcome.

How barcoding could help practices deliver 'the biggest flu programme in history'

Barcode technology in flu clinics could help GP practices reduce admin time and overcome social distancing challenges ahead of the ‘biggest flu vaccination programme in history'. Bromley GP Dr Mark Essop speaks to Medeconomics about how it works.

Details of QOF changes for 2020/21 in light of COVID-19

The BMA has confirmed that the number QOF points available for the flu and cervical screening indicators will double this year as part of changes introduced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health and safety checklist

Practices are required to regularly review their health and safety processes and procedures. Our checklist below can help you do this.

Health and safety: Risk assessment downloadable template

The key document for health and safety is your risk assessment. This downloadable risk assessment template contains key questions and prompts to help you complete it. It has been updated to include prompts relating to COVID-19.

COVID-19: Infection control in general practice - UPDATED

Fionnuala O'Donnell highlights the infection control issues practices may need to consider as they plan for increasing numbers of patients attending the surgery.

GP contract update for second phase of COVID-19 response

GP practices have been told to re-start health checks and other suspended services as NHS England set out sweeping plans for the second-phase GP response to COVID-19.

NHS England plans to expand flu campaign and pare back QOF for 2020/21

GP practices have been told to 'gear up for a major expansion of the winter flu programme' as part of plans that will see a dramatic reduction in QOF work this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

General Practice Insights: The future of the patient consultation after COVID-19

Welcome to the first of our General Practice Insights reports on key issues for the future of general practice, this time focusing on digital access to services and remote consulting.

How our practice is supporting staff wellbeing during the pandemic

Dr Vasu Siva explains the steps her practice has taken to support staff to look after their wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How we set up our social prescribing service and its role during the pandemic

Sapphire McCalla explains how a social prescribing service is supporting patients and staff from nine practices in Birmingham and how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way they work.

£20,000 golden hello scheme for new GP partners opens from 1 July

GPs and other healthcare professionals taking up partnership roles for the first time can apply for a £20,000 golden hello payment from 1 July under a scheme delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 guidance round-up: Week ending 26 June

Medeconomics summarises the latest coronavirus guidance changes and useful resources for general practice. This week: new guidance tracker, updated SOP, cancer referrals and shielded patients update.

Advice for GP practices on the CQC emergency support framework

Under the CQC’s emergency support framework, some practices will be asked to have hour-long supportive phone calls with the regulator. Medeconomics explains the process and offers some tips on how practices could prepare for this.

Face masks for patients in GP practices not compulsory

Patients 'should' wear masks in GP surgeries to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among staff and visitors, the government has said, however this is not compulsory.

How to deal with patient racism

We live in a multicultural society but racist attitudes persist and even now, some patients are not inhibited about expressing them. Dr Caroline Fryar, head of advisory services at the MDU, looks at how practices can respond.

Reducing workplace risk for all staff during COVID-19: A checklist

Medeconomics provides a checklist of issues practices could consider to help reduce workplace risk during the pandemic.

Risk assessments for staff vulnerable to COVID-19

Advice on how practices can approach risk assessments for staff at greater risk from COVID-19, including BAME employees, which highlights useful resources and key guidance. This article also provides a downloadable template to carry out individual assessments.