Join us in this enlightening episode as we reconnect with Dr. Donal Collins, to explore innovative approaches to managing type 2 diabetes. Through shared decision-making, whether it’s dietary changes or new medications, we discuss how managing insulin and energy intake can shrink fat cells and reduce inflammation. Donal & Ben explore the strategic …

Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr Christian Hornung, who wears many hats in the realm of primary care. Listen in as we explore a strategic energy savings initiative that began within a PCN and blossomed into a national success story. With the help of an energy consultant, healthcare practices, pharmacies, charities, and private hospita…

In this episode of RVTS4GP's, we have two excerpts taken from our popular first-year webinar on Men’s Health. The presenter is Dr Justin Coleman, a very experienced GP currently working in Brisbane in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Justin has a vast experience in medical education, including being a co-editor for Murtagh's General Pr…

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…

Join us for a fascinating exploration with Agnes Kasprowicz from the City and Hackney Office of PCNs. We look at the journey of City & Hackney Office of PCNs, as they provide support to eight PCNs, acting as a unified voice for the networks and championing their development and impact in their local communities. Discover how these networks have evo…

In this week’s episode, brought to you in partnership with Practice Index, we welcome back the insightful Robyn Clark and Kay Keane, who share their pioneering experiences with the ‘Right Care, First Time’ campaign. This episode brings to light the complex skills required of modern patient services teams, the critical need for recognition and appro…

Ben is joined, once again by Dr. Neil Modha, a mastermind in revolutionising patient care through innovative practices and strategic partnerships. As the GP partner of Thistlemoor Medical Centre. Neil discusses the fine art of managing workload and curbing GP burnout by staying ahead of the curve with bespoke roles designed to meet patient demands.…

Ben is joined by George Gavriel & Bobby Pozzoni-Child, from the Bucks GP Provider Alliance. Their engaging discussion looks at the crucial role of collaboration with the ICB to amplify the GP provider voice and underscores the value of place-based leadership groups as emphasised in the Fuller stock take. Discover the intricate structure of Bucks' G…

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. Introdu…

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 nati…

This episode is Part 2 of a two-part conversation with Associate Professor Dr Chris Hogan, addressing how to stay safe in our practices when dealing with agitated, distressed or potentially dangerous patients. Listen to tips, tricks and wisdom from Chris, gleaned from forty years of rural, general and hospital practice. This is an important topic t…

In this episode, we sit down for Part One of a two-part conversation with Associate Professor Dr Chris Hogan, addressing how to stay safe in our practices when dealing with agitated, distressed or potentially dangerous patients. Listen to tips, tricks and wisdom from Chris, gleaned from forty years of rural, general and hospital practice. This is a…

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 standardi…

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 …

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 back…

Ben welcomes back podcast favourite, Sheinaz Stansfield, Quality Improvement Lead for Oxford Terrace and Rawling Road Medical Group. Sheinaz joins Ben to share her pioneering methods for workforce redesign in General Practice, which include a thorough examination of patient demand and the utilisation of tools to distinguish between activity and dem…

Unlock the secrets to compassionate healthcare as we join forces with Kay Keane, Shaun Jackson and Katherine Scott from Urban Village Medical Practice, to discuss primary care's pivotal role in supporting the homeless community. Together, they navigate the complex definition of homelessness, the responsibilities of local authorities, and how health…

In this week’s episode, brought to you in partnership with Practice Index, Kay Keane and Claire Houston join Ben for a candid discussion on the financial challenges practices are facing. At the heart of their discussion lies the tension between the escalating costs of running a practice, including the forthcoming minimum wage hike, and the proposed…

Tim Rigg & Jessie Teggin join Ben to discuss ‘Out in the Field’, a provider of retreats for NHS staff. This episode looks into the transformative journey of healthcare staff towards holistic wellbeing, Jessie and Tim share information about the unique retreats that are aimed at nurturing the wellbeing of healthcare professionals, empowering them to…

Join Andy and Gandhi from eGPLearning and Tara Humphrey for something different this week, as our very own Ben joined eGPLearning’s live discussion to explore what is next for PCNs. They look into the future of General Practice, GP contract negotiations and the evolution of patient care. They navigate through the challenges of recruitment, resource…

In this episode of the podcast, we look into the world of total triage with Pete Woodward, from Cheadle Medical Practice. Join us as we learn how tailored questionnaires and advanced triage tools have led to a significant leap in diagnosis accuracy and patient satisfaction. Discover the secrets behind their efficient triage process, The Human Touch…

Filling out certificates seems to constitute an increasing part of a GP's job. The variety and sheer number of different forms to be familiar with can be difficult for GP registrars starting out in General Practice in Australia. Certificate completion requiring a degree of urgency, can occur unexpectedly in the middle of an already busy day. Certif…

Join us this week to discuss the new CQC revamped Practice Inspection Framework, brought to you in partnership with Practice Index, with panel regular Robyn Clark & manager partner of a GP practice in North London, Rathai Thevananth. This essential episode of our podcast provides a comprehensive breakdown of the significant changes affecting health…

Jacob Haddad, co-founder of Accurx, returns to our podcast to discuss Accurx’s latest report. With a focus on total triage and its impact on the healthcare delivery model, we uncover a system where appointments are a last resort, leading to increased efficiency and a transformative patient experience. The conversation pivots to the day-to-day chall…

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Practice Index, this week we focus on the topic of annual leave. Ben is joined by Claire Hoston and Robyn Clark to tackle the topic of managing annual leave in general practice. Navigating the peaks of holiday seasons can be a tumultuous affair in any workplace, but it's especially challenging in h…

We're thrilled to welcome the inspiring Dr. Helen Kingston, a GP and senior partner at Frome Medical Practice, who shares with us her team's unique and effective approach to healthcare that prioritises sustainability. Their journey to green healthcare is quite remarkable, from integrating social prescribing into medical practice to being the first …

Joining Ben to discuss how they managed to establish a PCN hub in their area is Dr Aravinth Balachandran, clinical director at Folkestone, Hythe and Rural PCN, Andy Gove, digital transformation manager at the same PCN & Adriana Jimenez, Primary Care Transformation Senior Innovation Access Lead, all with first hand experience in establishing a PCN h…

Join us this week, as we navigate the complexities of the new provider selection regime and what it means for general practice with our guest, Ross Clark, a partner at Hemsons. The new provider selection regime, he explains, will allow integrated care boards to award contracts to providers including PCNs, GP provider companies, and federations with…

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Practice Index, this week we focus on the topic of improving the support that Practices and PCNs can give to care homes. Ben is joined by Lisa Davis, who is the PCN clinical lead for enhanced health and care homes, and Lucy Jones, who is the PCN manager, both at HMG PCN in Hereford. They shed light…

In this episode, Ben is joined by the individuals from Venn Health and People Wellbeing: James Davies, Alasdair Everest-Ford, and Vicky Fytche. Venn Health, an independent agency specialising in problem-solving for the health and care sector, has recently collaborated with People Wellbeing, a provider focused on creating healthier environments and …

In this episode, Ben and Donal discuss the fascinating world of Metabolic Health. Our special guest, Donal Collins, generously takes us on a journey through his own experience with type 2 diabetes, illustrating his remarkable transformation. Donal elaborates on the modifications he implemented, the exceptional results he attained, and how he turned…

Ben welcomes two special guests, Minal Bakhai and Sheinaz Stansfield, to discuss the General Practice Improvement Programme. Minal delves into the details of GPIP and elaborates on the support it offers to PCNs and Practices. Sheinaz shares her personal experiences with the programme and discusses the transformative impact of data and support on PC…

In this fourth and final episode from our 2023 Grand Round series, we hear a short excerpt from the Grand Round highlighting the views of an RVTS Board member and experienced rural GP and Public Health practitioner, Dr Jacki Mein. Dr Jacki discusses teamwork, workforce shortages and rural generalism. RVTS 2023 Grand Round Series: Ever wondered why …

In this episode Ben reunites with NHS pensions expert Paul Gordon to explore recent changes to the NHS pension scheme. Paul last joined us in March 2023, they start by revisiting their previous discussion and the scheme's updates. Paul shares the positive changes, and the popularity around them, as well as the associated restrictions. He provides i…

In this third episode of our 2023 Grand Round series, we hear a short excerpt from the Grand Round highlighting the experiences of one of our dedicated RVTS supervisors, Dr Akil Islam. His journey into rural health was via a rurally bonded medical student scheme for Australian medical graduates. His experiences highlight the joys and challenges of …

Back by popular demand, we're excited to welcome back Naj Seedat and Andy Pow for another insightful episode.The topic of conversation has come to light due to an ICB that awarded what was an APMS contract, converted to a GMS contract to a PCN, Naj and Andy share their valuable insights and perspectives on this matter. Naj also shares his experienc…

In this second episode of our 2023 Grand Round series, we hear a short excerpt highlighting the experiences of Dr Thilan Walgamuge , a previous RVTS registrar, now a fellow of the RACGP, General Practice owner and regional business award winner. Dr Thilan highlights some very practical aspects of what could make it easier for people to settle and w…

In this week's episode we have the pleasure of welcoming back Hussain Gandhi, for the fifth year running as a PCN Clinical Director. During the conversation, Gandhi reflects on his time as a Clinical Director, sharing both the achievements and the challenges his PCN has encountered. Gandhi and Ben engage in a discussion about the difficulties assoc…

Ever wondered why doctors choose to work in rural settings and what would encourage them to stay? In our 2023 RVTS Grand Round, we explored this very topic with the National Rural Health Commissioner, Adjunct Professor Dr. Ruth Stewart. Alongside her, four RVTS registrars and supervisors shared their personal experiences and challenges in Rural Hea…

In today's episode, Ben is joined by James Catton, Physician Associate in General Practice, host of the Physician Associate Podcast and a PA Ambassador. Together, they deep dive into the role and responsibilities of a PA Ambassador, and discuss James' own creation, The Physician Associate Podcast. Throughout their conversation, James and Ben explor…

Returning to the podcast this week is Tara Humphrey, Managing Director of THC. Tara joins Ben to discuss the current priorities of PCNs. Tara shares her insights into the most significant challenges PCNs are currently facing, touching upon various issues and tensions within these networks. Tara emphasises the importance of interactions within PCNs …

It was about time we welcomed back Dr Rachel Morris, speaker, host of ‘You Are Not a Frog’ podcast, GP, Coach and creator of the Shapes Toolkit Resilience Training Programme for doctors and other professionals. In this episode Rachel generously imparts invaluable insights into the importance of establishing professional boundaries, sheds light on t…

This week's episode features panel regular Robyn Clark, along with Pete Maynard & Naj Seedat. This episode is brought to you in partnership with Practice Index & this week focuses on the topic of practice managers as partners in GP practices. Robyn and Pete share their personal journeys, recounting their transitions from practice managers to partne…

Ben welcomes Robert McCartney back to the podcast. Although Robert has been a guest on the podcast before he has now joined Hempsons as an associate where he focuses on aiding GP mergers and assisting PCNs, helping them form entities. This episode revolves around the relationship between GP Practices and PCNs, highlighting its significance for thei…

In this week's podcast episode, Ben is accompanied by Su Suehr, Amanda Spooner, and Linzi Fisher. The main focus of their discussion revolves around the recent implementation of the new integrated team lead role. Throughout the podcast they discuss the advantages brought about by this role, and share what the integrated model looks like to Su and A…

Today, Ben is joined by Rasha Gadelrab, a GP & Medical Educator & Healthcare Engagement Specialist. Rasha kicks off the podcast by sharing her professional journey and how she arrived at her current position. Rasha possesses extensive experience, ranging from working as a biotechnology recruitment consultant to becoming a GP educator, healthcare co…

This week's episode is focused on tackling abuse in general practice and features insights from our esteemed guest, Mike Neville, brought to you in partnership with Practice Index. Mike is not only a panel member but also holds the positions of LMC Manager Rep, and North West England Regional Rep for the IGM. During the discussion Mike discusses hi…

In this week's podcast episode, Ben hosts Colin Armstead from George House Trust and Kay Keane from Urban Village Medical Practice, both located in Manchester. The mission of George House Trust is to empower individuals living with HIV, helping them lead healthy and confident lives through the provision of HIV support, advice, and advocacy services…

Today, Ben is accompanied by Ben Allen, Partner at a Sheffield GP and Clinical Director for primary care in Sheffield, supporting primary care to thrive. During the podcast, they delve into the document that Ben has worked on, titled 'Another General Practice is possible’, a document that has served as a catalyst for initiating change within Ben's …

This week, Ben offers a solo episode where he discusses the future for PCNs and shares his insights on what to expect from March 2024 onwards. During the podcast, he covers various topics, including the NHS long term plan, the 5 year GP contract and the Fuller stocktake report. Ben also addresses the growing unpopularity of PCNs and offers his pers…