Ria Agarwal and Andy King are both physician’s associates, a role which remains controversial in general practice. In our latest podcast we begin an occasional series about this role by talking to Ria and Andy about the scope of their role, their route into becoming PAs and their contribution to the practices in which they work.

Jennifer Skillen is the Chair of the Patient Participation Group at Romney House Surgery in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Jennifer is introducing a range of technical solutions to the thorny issue of how to positively engage patients in general practice. She tells Ben about the “virtual” PPG and its impact on the surgery.

Laura Sharpe and Paula Beare work for the successful City and Hackney GP Confederation which is formed of 43 GP practices. In this podcast they explain to Ben how they gained GP commitment to the confederation, how the confederation operates and the ambitious plans they have for the future.

In his latest audioblog Ben Gowland calls on GP leaders in CCGs to make sure the GP Forward View money makes its way to general practice. He believes that the door is open and, as CCGs begin to disappear, it is one way that GP leaders can ensure their legacy.

Rajiv is a potential GP of the future and, as a doctor in training, he has been involved in a number of fascinating initiatives including a student-led research model. He gives Ben his views on the challenges facing medicine today including the new junior doctors’ contract and how he believes this affects the choices that junior doctors make. He also explains the student-led research model and how this has inspired him and other doctors in training.

This is the final episode in our short series of podcasts looking at the changes that can have the highest impact on general practice. In this episode we look at how CCGs can better support general practice.

Based on our work with CCGs across the country Ben looks at what CCGs need to do as part of their GP Forward View plans which must be in place by December 23rd. He suggests ways in which CCGs can get general practice on board and warns against a number of things they should avoid doing.

This podcast links in to our new book “The Future of General Practice: Real Life Case Studies of Innovation and New Ways of Working” which is available to order from our website here.

This is the third in our short series of podcasts looking at the highest impact changes practices can make to help them manage the current crises in general practice and prepare for the future. In this episode look at the new models of care and how they might impact on general practice. Based on our work with practices across the country Ben looks at the benefits of the new models, the risks and how, practically, practices should approach partnerships. This podcast links in to our new book “The Future of General Practice: Real Life Case Studies of Innovation and New Ways of Working” which is available to pre-order from our website here. If you order before October 10th you’ll get 20% off the recommended retail price.

This is the second in a short series of podcasts looking at the highest impact changes practices can make to help them manage the current crises in general practice and prepare for the future. In this episode Ben Gowland talks about operating at scale; what is it? What are the benefits? And, practically, how can you do it?

Ben’s analysis is based in part on the various case studies that Ockham Healthcare has developed from across the country. This podcast links in to our new book “The Future of General Practice: Real Life Case Studies of Innovation and New Ways of Working” which is available to pre-order from our website here. If you order before October 10th you’ll get 20% off the recommended retail price.

This is the first in a short series of podcasts looking at the highest impact changes practices can make to help them manage the current crises in general practice and prepare for the future. In this episode Ben Gowland talks about the introduction of new clinical roles into general practice, based in part on the various case studies that Ockham Healthcare has developed from across the country. The series links in to our new book “The Future of General Practice: Real Life Case Studies of Innovation and New Ways of Working” which will shortly be available from our website www.ockham.healthcare