Talking General Practice

GP Money Matters is a series of special bonus episodes of Talking General Practice sponsored by Wesleyan where we look at key personal finance issues that affect GPs.

In this episode GPonline editor Emma Bower speaks to Wendy Baillie, a chartered financial planner and regional manager at Wesleyan Financial Services, about how to decode your NHS pension statement, and why taking a closer look at it is vital for your long-term financial planning. 

Wendy explains what these statements actually tell you, including crucial details on your pensionable pay, service history, and spousal benefits.

She also outlines the most common misunderstandings around NHS pensions, how to navigate issues like the McCloud remedy and the annual allowance threshold, what you should be checking annually to spot errors, and when you may need to seek professional guidance.

This episode was produced by Czarina Deen.

This podcast is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Individual circumstances may vary.

Useful links

• To learn more about the financial considerations discussed in this podcast, you can book an appointment with a specialist financial adviser at Wesleyan Financial Services. Charges may apply. If you want to find out more about Wesleyan following this podcast, you can visit wesleyan.co.uk/gppodcast

About Wesleyan

Wesleyan Financial Services supports doctors with advice shaped around the realities of the profession.

From complex income structures and portfolio careers to the NHS Pension Scheme and retirement options, its Specialist Financial Advisers work closely with doctors every day. Recognised by the NHS as able to give guidance on the NHS Pension Scheme, Wesleyan brings trusted expertise to key financial decisions. Combining financial planning, investment advice and protection, it helps doctors make confident, informed choices.

96% of doctors rated their specialist financial adviser as very good or excellent, reflecting a focused service that helps doctors protect their income, grow wealth and plan ahead with confidence.

Remember: The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest.

Wesleyan Financial Services Ltd (Registered in England and Wales No. 1651212) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Colmore Circus, Birmingham B4 6AR. Telephone: 0345 351 2352. Calls may be recorded to help us provide, monitor and improve our services to you.

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Our regular news review is back! In this week’s episode Emma, Nick and Kimberley look at advice and guidance and single point of access for referrals after our own survey found that most GPs have seen a referral rejected inappropriately and nearly one in 10 have seen a patient harmed as a result. Meanwhile an interim report by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) has linked advice and guidance to two patient deaths.

They discuss list clearing after an analysis by Nick found that deprived areas have been hit hardest by this process, and figures showed 200,000 patients were cut from GP lists in a single month. Nick explains what this all means for practices and GP funding.

And they look at the roll out of tirzepatide or Mounjaro, after an investigation by Kimberley suggested that less than a quarter of eligible patients were prescribed the drug on the NHS over the past year.

This week’s good news story is about a fall in ICU admissions for infants after roll out of the RSV vaccine.

This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower, deputy editor Nick Bostock and senior reporter Kimberley Hackett. It was produced by Czarina Deen.

Useful links

●     GPs report patient harm as referral reforms kick in

●     AI responses, patronising advice, more work: GP verdict on advice and guidance

●     Watchdog links advice and guidance to patient deaths

●     Deprived areas hit hardest by 'reckless' list cleaning

●     Huge acceleration in list cleaning cuts 200,000 patients in a single month

●     Just 1 in 4 eligible patients prescribed tirzepatide, GPonline investigation suggests

●     GPs need support to speed up NHS tirzepatide rollout, says MP

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This week Emma speaks to the new chair of the BMA England GP committee Dr Clare Bannon.

Clare has been in the role for just over a month and, in this conversation, she sets out her priorities and her plans to reset the BMA’s relationship with the government and NHS England.

She discusses the committee’s key demands, including an extra £40 to £50 per patient in core funding and meaningful GP contract reform - and the importance of establishing a roadmap to meet those aims.

She also talks about the underemployment crisis facing sessional GPs, the controversy surrounding NHS England’s list cleaning exercise, and concerns over single point of access referral pathways. And she shares her thoughts on neighbourhood health contracts and where the committee stands on further collective action - and a potential Plan B ballot.

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

Useful links

GP funding ‘has not kept pace’ with exp[anding NHS role

GPs report patient harm as referral reforms kick in

BMA sets out next step in collective action for August

GPs denied billions as hospital funding grows 50% faster than primary care

Half of GPs say NHS general practice not financially viable ahead of 'Plan B' vote

Aggressive list cleaning to run over four-year cycle as reinvestment plans emerge

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GP Money Matters is a series of special bonus episodes of Talking General Practice sponsored by Wesleyan where we look at key personal finance issues that affect GPs.

In this episode GPonline editor Emma Bower speaks to Wendy Baillie, a chartered financial planner and regional manager at Wesleyan Financial Services, about the rise of portfolio careers in general practice and what this means for GPs’ finances.

New research from Wesleyan reveals that holding multiple roles has become the norm, with over two-thirds of doctors having portfolio careers. Wendy explains the hidden complexities of juggling multiple roles, including the risk of unexpected tax bills, NHS pension headaches and the surprising hurdles GPs face when trying to secure a mortgage.

She also offers some practical guidance about to approach your finances holistically to avoid these pitfalls.

This episode was produced by Czarina Deen.

This podcast is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Individual circumstances may vary.

Useful links

• The research mentioned in this podcast has been commissioned by Wesleyan Assurance Society and you can visit wesleyan.co.uk/portfolio-careers for more information. 
• To learn more about the financial considerations discussed in this podcast, you can book an appointment with a specialist financial adviser at Wesleyan Financial Services. Charges may apply. If you want to find out more about Wesleyan following this podcast, you can visit wesleyan.co.uk/gppodcast

About Wesleyan

Wesleyan Financial Services supports doctors with advice shaped around the realities of the profession.

From complex income structures and portfolio careers to the NHS Pension Scheme and retirement options, its Specialist Financial Advisers work closely with doctors every day. Recognised by the NHS as able to give guidance on the NHS Pension Scheme, Wesleyan brings trusted expertise to key financial decisions. Combining financial planning, investment advice and protection, it helps doctors make confident, informed choices.

96% of doctors rated their specialist financial adviser as very good or excellent, reflecting a focused service that helps doctors protect their income, grow wealth and plan ahead with confidence.

Remember: The value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest.

'WESLEYAN' is the trading name of the Wesleyan Group of companies. Financial advice is provided by Wesleyan Financial Services Ltd.

Wesleyan Assurance Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Wesleyan Financial Services Ltd and Wesleyan Unit Trust Managers Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Read more information about the Wesleyan group of companies.

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This week we’re sharing a conversation that was originally recorded for our sister podcast, MIMS Learning’s Clinical Update.

MIMS Learning deputy editor Rhiannon Ashman speaks with Dr Michael Blackmore, a GP partner, chair of the RCGP West Scotland Faculty, and a recovering addict, about the often hidden issue of addiction and recovery within the medical profession.

In this candid and powerful conversation, Michael shares his personal journey of struggling with addiction while practicing medicine, his path to recovery with support from services like NHS Practitioner Health, and how his lived experience now shapes his clinical work. He also offers insightful advice on spotting unhealthy coping mechanisms, breaking down stigma, and where healthcare professionals can turn for help.

Warning: This podcast includes discussion of addiction and suicide.

This episode was produced by Jude Owen and Czarina Deen.

Useful links

●     Sick Doctors Trust - support and help for doctors with dependence on drugs or alcohol

●     Practitioner Health - a free, confidential NHS primary care-led mental health and addiction service for doctors and other NHS staff

●     British Doctors & Dentists Group - recovery group for doctors and dentists with addictions

●     MIMS Learning

You can listen to this episode, complete a learning log and export this to your appraisal folder on MIMS Learning here.

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In this bonus episode of Talking General Practice Dr Netty Kinsella, uro-oncology nurse consultant and clinical lead for urology cancer diagnostics and active surveillance at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, speaks to GPonline editor Emma Bower about urological cancer.

Netty explains what makes the Royal Marsden's urology diagnostic service unique, and provides essential guidance for GPs on when to refer patients with suspected urological cancer.

She talks about the latest on prostate cancer screening, including the National Screening Committee’s recent recommendation for a targeted programme, and how GPs should approach risk-adapted PSA testing. Netty also shares key insights into the role of MRIs, advanced biopsy technologies, and provides advice on managing haematuria and urgent testicular presentations in primary care.

This episode was produced by Czarina Deen.

This episode of the podcast has been sponsored by The Royal Marsden Private Care.

About The Royal Marsden Private Care

The Royal Marsden opened in 1851 as the world's first hospital dedicated to cancer diagnosis, treatment, research, and education. Today, it operates as a specialist cancer centre and, working closely with its principal academic partner, the Institute of Cancer Research, is ranked among the top four institutions globally for the impact of its research. As a centre of excellence, The Royal Marsden pioneers the latest cancer treatments and technologies while leading the way in innovative cancer diagnosis, research, and education.

As a specialist cancer centre, The Royal Marsden has the clinical expertise, facilities and technology to provide the very highest levels of private cancer care. Every cancer is different, and their multidisciplinary teams, consisting of over 2,500 world-leading cancer experts, provide patients with personalised and bespoke treatment plans.

NHS and Private Care services are provided in parallel at The Royal Marsden, ensuring clinical need and urgency is prioritised over NHS or private status. Revenue generated by private care is reinvested back into the hospital, for the benefit of everyone. Find out more about this unique care model, including how revenue generated by Private Care is reinvested into the hospital, here: royalmarsden.nhs.uk/our-care-model.

The Royal Marsden Private Care operates across sites in Chelsea and Sutton, a Medical Day Unit at Kingston Hospital, as well as a diagnostic and treatment centre at Cavendish Square in central London.

Find out more about The Royal Marsden’s cancer services: royalmarsden.nhs.uk/private-care/londonGP.

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This week Emma speaks to Dr Stephanie Cook, clinical lead for the Women's Health Hubs in Liverpool, a GP with a special interest in women's health, and a director of the Primary Care Women's Health Society.

Stephanie discusses how women’s health hubs can bring care closer to home, slash waiting times, and help tackle health inequalities - and explains how the Liverpool hub model works in practice,

We also discuss the systemic barriers facing women’s health services, including the lack of sustainable funding, the impact of removing women's health from the NHS planning guidance, and the importance of moving care from hospitals and into the community.

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

Useful links

Renewed Women's Health Strategy for England

Primary Care Women’s Health Society women’s health hub toolkit

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Emma speaks with Dr Ruth Abrams, an organisational psychologist and associate professor at the University of Surrey School of Health Sciences , about her recent research published in the BJGP on the conditions in which women GPs thrive.

Ruth discusses why women GPs experience disproportionate rates of stress and lower career progression. She talks about the medical gender pay gap and outlines five practical actions individual GP practices can take right now to foster a fairer, more flexible, and supportive environment.

Ruth also highlights critical gaps in current research and explains why we need national, systemic policy changes to ensure workforce sustainability, rather than simply telling individuals to be more resilient.

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

Useful links

Investigating the conditions in which women GPs thrive in General Practice: A realist review - Ruth’s paper in the BJGP

Workplace Thriving - the website Ruth mentions in this conversation

Easing parenting challenges in primary care workforce - an article by Ruth in the BMJ

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This week Emma, Nick and Kimberley look at the government’s 10-year health plan one year on and ask how much progress has been made, whether it is on track and what needs to happen next. They also talk about  PCN contract variations after every practice in Kent signed up to the first deal of this kind.

They look at GP premises after the government announced its 10-year capital investment plan for the NHS and NHS England chair Dr Penny Dash angered GPs after saying that GP practices have ‘twice as much floor space’ as they need. They also discuss some of the challenges of getting new premises developments off the ground.

And they look at whether or not the GP jobs crisis is beginning to ease as thousands of GP registrars prepare to qualify in the coming weeks.

This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower, deputy editor Nick Bostock and senior reporter Kimberley Hackett. It was produced by Czarina Deen

Useful links

One year on, is the 10-year health plan on track?

Kent DES variation hands GPs ARRS cash upfront

AI triage rollout fast-tracked for GP surgeries

GP premises fund falls short of upgrade target

GP fury as NHS boss claims practices have twice the space they need

'There aren't enough jobs': new GPs face waiting lists for shifts

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Emma speaks to BMA England GP committee chair Dr Katie Bramall about her decision not to stand for re-election when her three-year term ends this month and the highs and lows of her time in the role.

Katie reflects on an extraordinary three years for general practice, including navigating challenging GP contract negotiations during a tight funding climate and leading historic collective action by the profession.

She explains the personal and organisational reasons behind her decision to pass on the baton, and how she managed the intense internal and external challenges facing the committee.

Katie also outlines what her departure means for the ongoing dispute with the government, updates us on the next phases of collective action, and shares her advice for her successor as well as her hopes for the future of general practice.

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

Useful links

GPs to refuse shared care agreements in third phase of collective action

BMA to ballot GPs on switch to 'Plan B' semi-private contract

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