Latest articles

Latest Medeconomics articles

How to use patient complaints to improve your services

Regularly analysing complaints can help practices improve services. Below is a framework to help practices, including a downloadable template to record complaints.

Updates to private fees

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

GDPR and fees for access to medical records

When practices can charge a fee and when they should provide information for free under a subject access request.

Job description: Advanced nurse practitioner

This job description can be downloaded and adapted for use in your practice.

Job description: Practice nurse

This job description can be downloaded and adapted for use in your practice.

Job description: Salaried GP

This job description can be downloaded and adapted for use in your practice.

Job description: GP partner

This job description can be downloaded and adapted for use in your practice.

Sourcing a suitable GP locum

Research your options carefully when considering how to recruit locums.

Preparing GP locums to make effective home visits

A checklist to ensure the practice provides its locums with the information they need to make home visits.

Preparing for a new locum GP - a checklist

Practices need to prepare for new locums to get the best from them. This checklist can be used to ensure you have covered everything.

How to handle immunisation errors

MDU medico-legal adviser Dr Ellie Mein explains the most common errors relating to vaccinations and how practices should proceed if an error occurs.

Making the most of your GP locum

If properly enabled, GP locums can provide effective care for patients and add real value to practices.

Agreeing terms and conditions with GP locums

A written agreement, negotiated and finalised in advance of the locum session, ensures both parties know what is expected.

Equipping a GP locum to do their job safely and effectively

A checklist to ensure your locum has the essential information they need to do a good job.

Saying sorry - the duty of candour in general practice

GPs in England and Scotland have a statutory duty of candour. The MDU's Dr Michael Devlin explains what this means and provides advice on apologising to patients.

Managing patient complaints

A step-by-step guide to managing complaints, including links to useful resources.

Staff induction checklist

Staff inductions are important to ensure new team members understand the practice and what is expected of them. This checklist provides a reminder of what to cover.

Using and updating job descriptions

Many practices underestimate the importance of writing and updating job descriptions. Done well, they are a crucial tool in maximising the strength of your staff team.

Writing a person specification: a key to effective recruitment

Creating a person specification will clarify your recruitment needs and protect you against potential discrimination claims.

Staff recruitment: Advertising a vacancy, shortlisting and interviewing

Advice on advertising a job vacancy and selecting candidates for interview.

Changes ahead for the GP contract

NHS England has suggested that 2019/20 could see the biggest change to the GP contract since 2004. Medeconomics looks at what this might mean.

New employee checklist

What documentation do practices need when a new member of staff, including GPs, join? Includes a downloadable checklist to include with your records and links to key guidance.

Minimising risk when running vaccination campaigns

With practices' flu vaccination campaigns about to get underway, MDDUS medical adviser Dr Naeem Nazem highlights key risk areas relating to immunisations and steps to mitigate these.