In this month’s Practice Index sponsored panel episode, Ben is reunited with Nicola Davies and Robyn Clark. Ben, Nicola, and Robyn discuss the new contractual requirements and how they will impact practices moving forward. Nicola and Robyn look at the year ahead and what their priorities will be during this tough time. They touch on some difficult subjects such as underfunding, pay and taking care of the staff's wellbeing within the practices. Robyn finishes the podcast on a positive note by sharing some ideas for the future and having patients help to save general practices.    Introduction (0:09)   How is life in General Practice at the moment? (0:50)   Robyn & Nicola share their  views on the new contract.. (1:43)   Funding... (2:52)   Patients' expectations... (4:52)   Disconnect between the messages to the public & practices.. (6:14)   The year ahead.. (8:15)   Introduction of cloud based telephony.. (9:34)   Inflation compared to pay rises.. (12:01)   Collective action or practice by practice basis? (14:08)   Publishing salaries above £159k.. (14:56)   Thoughts on the Hewitt review.. (18:53)   Thoughts on the future.. (20:23)   To visit the Practice Index website, click here or contact James Dillon here.   For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.  

Podcast – Practice Index – New contractual requirements

Ben Gowland talks to those making real change happen in healthcare, getting underneath what they did, how they managed to do it, and the challenges they faced along the way

Medicine

Science & Medicine

Health & Fitness

In this episode, we delve into highlights from the second annual PCN Plus live conference, where Ben teamed up with Tara Humphrey, Dr. Andy Foster, and Dr. Hussain Gandhi on Wednesday 17th April. Tune in as they explore life beyond primary care networks, the evolving role of PCNs, and their significant influence on the healthcare landscape. Introduction (00:08)  What have been the main impacts of primary care networks? (00:40)  What will come in the next contract? (04:43) How should PCNs be preparing to deliver integrated neighbourhood teams? (10:35)  Should GPs be included in ARS roles? (15:30) For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

Podcast – PCN Plus – Live panel discussion: What is the future of PCNs?

We are joined, once again, by Dr Nigel Fraser, Dr Mike Hearne, and Conor Price. This week they discuss how Herefordshire has taken significant strides in influencing integrated care board decisions through data sharing and analytics, highlighting the critical role of Primary Care Analytics in the evolution of local data systems.  Hear about the national landscape of general practice data analytics and its impact on healthcare strategies from our guests. They bring to the table discussions on the need for a unified voice in the sector, the challenges in translating complex activities into actionable insights, and the role primary care analysts play in this domain. The episode wraps up with a look at the strategic enhancement of data analytics in primary care. Don't miss part 2 of this insightful discussion on revolutionising general practice and promoting innovation across the nation. Introduction (00:09) Data in General Practice (02:03)  The importance of sharing data (03:32) Controls.. (04:36)  Primary Care Analytics.. (05:02)  Primary Care Analytics forum.. (07:54)  General Practice influence (08:53) Skills gap within General Practice (10:04) Working together.. (11:08)  Measuring what’s important (13:09) Supporting other areas.. (13:59) Influencing at a ICB level (17:20)  Getting in touch.. (18:37)  Starting a National movement.. (19:00) Final thoughts (19:37) Contact Conor Price via email here & visit the Primary Care Analytics website here. For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

Podcast – Primary Care Analytics (Part 2) – How Data Analytics is Shaping the Future of General Practice

Join us as we explore the advancements in general practice data and analytics, as Ben sits down with Dr Nigel Fraser, Dr Mike Hearne, and Conor Price. They share their invaluable insights on the early initiatives of data sharing using EMIS and the importance of establishing trust among practices. Together, they unravel the complexities of standardising data to enhance collaborative healthcare and reflect on the journey from the initial phases to the sophisticated state of data utilisation today. Listen in as they tackle the significant strides made in healthcare data management and the importance of standardised coding templates, the trust required in data sharing, and the role of mobile healthcare in addressing critical issues. They also discuss the creation of robust data management teams and the strategic deployment of data to advocate for primary care investments, all while recognising the undeniable power of data in steering healthcare improvements and fortifying practice support within the larger system.. Introduction (00:08) Primary Care Analytics (01:57) Comparing apples with apples (04:02)  LMC’s perspective.. (05:07)  The pro’s of providing the data.. (05:54) The developments & benefits.. (07:06) Using the data right (11:34)  Producing information.. (14:23)  Data analyst & beyond.. (16:55) What does the data look like now? (18:36) How does the data help? (21:28)  How to get in touch (23:02) Contact Conor Price via email here & visit the Primary Care Analytics website here. For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

Podcast – Primary Care Analytics (Part 1) – Transforming Primary Care through the Power of Data

With general practice at a crossroads, Practice Index podcast regulars Robyn Clark and Claire Houston join Ben to assess the financial hurdles presented within the latest GP contract. The 2% funding increase is a drop in the ocean against towering inflation and the uptick in the national living wage could well see a situation whereby practices are unable to hire or replace departing staff, calling into question, once again, the issue of sustainability. We consider newer directives linked to capacity and access such as telephony, online consultations, and care navigation systems and probe the effectiveness of the Integrated Care Board payments - and the Quality and Outcomes Framework - questioning their impact on an already stretched thin resource pool. Don't miss this episode for a frank and insightful examination of the state of general practice right now, with our expert practice management panel guiding the conversation. Introduction (00.:09) Welcoming the panel (00:39) Funding implications (00:52) An unrealistic uplift against the economic reality (02:12) Impact on practices (03:06) Government response and continuing uncertainty (03:48) Complications with budget-setting (05:38) Advice from Clare when planning ahead (06:49) Debating the QOF changes (07:53) Changes related to vaccs and imms (09:46) Scrapping the IIF in favour of capacity and access (10:32) Achieving the 30% (12:33) National extraction of demand data (14:25) A new “registration solution” (17:03) Merging the PCN DES spec and ARRS (17:55) The future of general practice taskforce (20:48) GP referendum (21:55) Final thoughts (23:47) The importance of standing together (24:40) To visit the Practice Index website, click here or contact James Dillon here. For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

Podcast – Practice Index – Dissecting the new GP Contract

Listen in as we welcome back experts James Gransby from RSM UK and Robert McCartney from Hempsons for an insightful analysis of the upcoming 24/25 GP contract changes and the associated financial pressures. They tackle the stark realities practices are facing, including the modest wage increases and low inflation rate adjustments set against a backdrop of historical underfunding. They examine potential cost savings, opportunities for service expansion, and the balance between growth and maintaining a strong practice culture. Join us to also highlight the success of organic mergers and the concept of 'soft mergers' as a means to foster collaboration while preserving individual practice identity. Introduction (00:09)  Reactions to the 24/25 contract.. (00:33) Percentages used.. (01:42) What’s new? (03:31)  Continuity of care (04:37) Financial pressure on individual practices (05:35)  Section 96 (06:24) Point of no return.. (07:01) Funding during COVID.. (07:40)  Do practices need to merge? (08:54) Economies of scale.. (14:15)  The need for a plan.. (15:10)   When does it become too big? (16:40) Thinking about a merger? (19:01)  Merging organically.. (21:05)  Soft merging (23:12) Getting in touch.. (23:52)  Contact Robert via email here & James via email here.  For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

Podcast – Practice Index – New contractual requirements

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