Join Ben this week, as we celebrate the 400th episode of the General Practice Podcast, by tackling the intricate landscape of the 2024-2025 period for general practices. In this solo episode, Ben discusses the challenges brought on by the continuation of the five-year GP contract with added cuts, addressing issues such as below-inflation pay growth and heightened cost pressures.

Listen in as Ben examines the dynamics between PCNs and their member practices, offering insights into navigating financial pressures while maintaining independence. Discover three potential paths practices can take: maintaining strict boundaries, merging to become as large as the PCN, or adopting a hybrid model.

This episode emphasises the importance of trust and transparency, so stay tuned for a discussion on how collective efforts can help navigate the anticipated challenges of the upcoming year in general practice.

Celebrating 400 episodes (00:09)

Navigating 2024-2025 (01:09)

Contract changes.. (02:30)

PCN DES (03:31)

The end of PCNs? (04:01)

Referendum on the contract.. (04:59)

Mass Resignations (05:40)

PCN core functions (06:36)

Relationship between PCNs & practices (08:19)

The 3 choices.. (09:29)

The hybrid model.. (11:19)

How can we work together (16:58)

Financial pressures (17:52)

Supporting each other.. (18:07)

For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.