This week Emma speaks to GP Dr Emma Watts, a dispensing doctor based in Surrey and the chair of the RCGP's Rural Forum, about the distinct challenges facing rural general practice.

Emma discusses how urban-centric policies, mounting financial constraints, and operational pressures are driving rural practice closures. She also highlights hidden health inequalities in rural areas, such as homelessness, and explains why the government's proposed framework for a neighbourhood NHS fails to consider the reality facing remote, rural, and dispensing practices.

And she explains the Rural Minds Project, an innovative training programme using virtual reality headsets to support mental health in UK farming communities.

This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen.

Useful links

RCGP Rural Forum

Rural Minds Project

Talking General Practice episode with Dr Richard West from the Dispensing Doctors’ Association

Dispensing Doctors’ Association

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