No-one could have ever anticipated the impact that the Coronavirus Pandemic would have on our lives when we first started to hear about it on the news. I wanted to share with you some of the things we have done to help us “Cope with Covid”.
Read MoreIntroduction to Human Resources
Recruitment As a Practice Manager HR is probably one of the biggest areas of my job. When someone resigns, I like to take the opportunity to review what the practice “need” is and never simply replace like for like. Practice needs change over time, so it is a perfect opportunity to do things differently, just make sure you review the job description and person specification and update accordingly. I have…
Read MoreHow I made my practice more efficient
When I joined the Oakwood Team almost two years ago, I had no idea of how a general practice ran. I brought with me a wealth of leadership, coaching, training and performance management experience. Unfortunately, I had zero knowledge or experience of the NHS and so I had a lot to learn. After a short orientation period, I set out my stall to learn the practice inside out. I did…
Read MorePractice Manager Resilience
Practice Managers have an incredibly difficult, multi-faceted role where you can be expected to turn from counsellor to body guard at the drop of the hat. Most of us have a tool belt and box of tissues to hand at all times and an inner sense that leads you to reception to deal with Mr. Irate just before he starts his meltdown! Resilience gives us the capacity to turn adversity…
Read MoreGPC – warts and all update – 2016
Dear Colleagues, I have now represented Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield on the General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association for two years. You have not heard from me regularly during this time because I know that you are busy people and I have tried to work quietly in the background rather than burden you with yet more emails or letters. However, many of you will want to know…
Read MoreGPC – warts and all update – 2017
Dear Colleagues, I am now starting my second term representing South Yorkshire on the General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association. In my previous updates I hoped to give you insight into the form and function of the Committee that represents all General Practitioners in the United Kingdom. I have made myself available to you all through telephone, email and twitter. A number of you have taken me up…
Read MoreGPC – warts and all update – 2018
Dear colleagues. I have found the last year as your regional representative to the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) of the British Medical Association (BMA) somewhat challenging. The challenge has been getting your voices heard at a national level. The Meldrum Review A few years back, Dr Chaand Nagpaul (current Chair of the BMA and former Chair of the GPC) invited Dr Hamish Meldrum (former GPC and BMA Chair) to review…
Read MoreGPC – warts and all update – 2019
Dear Colleagues Having started in 2014, I am now entering my sixth year as representative for Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield on the General Practitioners Committee (GPC) of the British Medical Association (BMA). Each year that I have represented you I have provided a written report of what my year has been like and read together they provide a story of what it means to be the GPC representative for…
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