Research points to huge out of hours spending variations
The Patients Association has criticised primary care trusts over significant variations in out of hours spending.
NHS managers demand power to fire GPs
Managers are calling for the power to “fire” GPs and to get rid of small practices to make the huge spending cuts needed in coming years.
Out of hours GP contracts need greater transparency
A network of small out of hours providers has criticised primary care trusts for “trading off” contracts to other providers without retendering.
PCTs preparing for cuts not savings, warn GPs
Senior GPs have claimed primary care trusts are feeling pressured to make budget cuts rather than find efficiency savings.
Call to improve NHS telehealth systems
Patients are missing out on better care and treatment because of shortfalls in NHS computing systems, members of Scottish parliament have said.
Virgin buys into GP healthcare
Sir Richard Branson’s empire has bought a controlling stake in an NHS walk-in centre operator.
Tories outline hospital efficiency plans
Hospitals could be forced to offer treatments at the same price as more “efficient” competitors under plans outlined by the Conservatives.
Priorities for quality pilots
GP practices, community service providers, community pharmacists and out of hours providers will be expected to set out at least three, but no more than five, priorities for quality improvement each year, if pilot proposals become the template for primary care quality accounts due to be introduced next year.
Fresh investigations stall Kingston branch surgery plans
The Department of Health has not yet approved the opening of a Kingston GP group’s new branch surgery - two months after the cooperation and competition panel said it should go ahead.
OFT to investigate heartburn drug competition
Household goods giant Reckitt Benckiser has been accused of abusing its dominant position in the supply of heartburn medicines to the NHS.
No arthritis care improvement since 2003 - MPs
A cross-party group of MPs has called for GPs to have more training in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis after it was revealed there has been no improvement since 2003 in the time it takes to diagnose and offer treatment for the condition.
PCTs face out of hours contract renegotiation
Primary care trusts face having to renegotiate contracts for out of hours provision.
Andrew Lansley points to joint powers in public health
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley wants a Conservative government to keep a firm hand on public health. In a joint interview with HSJ and sister title Local Government Chronicle, he tells Rebecca Evans how local collaboration will be vital
Gordon Brown outlines vision for more health and social care at home
Prime minister Gordon Brown has pledged to provide more NHS and social care to people in their own homes with new guarantees for cancer patients and elderly people.
Complaints against GPs rise 11pc
Complaints against GPs have risen 11 per cent in a year, figures show.
Doctors' leaders warn on rising population
New GP practices should be established in areas with growing populations, the British Medical Association has said.
PCTs told to review management of out of hours care
Primary care trusts have been told to review the way they oversee their arrangements for out of hours GP services to “ensure they are robust and fit for purpose”.
Plans to scrap GP practice boundaries draw fire
The British Medical Association and the NHS Alliance last week stepped up their opposition to government plans to scrap GP practice boundaries within 12 months.
NHS Direct to increase web presence
The chief executive of NHS Direct wants to significantly shift its operations towards the web, saying the health service needs to leave behind its “1950s bank” approach to services.
Out of hours GP variations 'unacceptable'
An unacceptable variation exists between doctors’ out of hours services around the country, Mike O’Brien has admitted.
More on GPs
Discharge notes: how to save time and reduce errors
The problem of delays in GPs receiving patients’ discharge details is being resolved across Cheshire through a shared electronic communications system
World class commissioning: the human factor
A diagnostic tool boosts organisations’ world class commissioning competencies, says Carol Brooks
How to make clinical commissioning work
In Kent, clinicians and managers are working together as teams to concentrate expertise on specific clinical areas
Build a virtual polyclinic
Streamlined care cannot be delivered unless clinicians are able to share information easily. Mark Caulfield describes how Tower Hamlets solved the problem with integrated IT
Map of Medicine - plot the best pathway to care
A software based tool gives clinicians a picture of the ideal route patients need to take for many important conditions. Lynne Greenwood explains how it works
Care homes: getting to grips with GP retainers
GPs demanding fees from care homes must justify their charges to avoid provoking a scandal, says Stuart Shepherd
