NHSE must be flexible over ‘dictatorial’ network specs, says super-partnership boss
NHS England’s embattled plans for primary care networks are too prescriptive and not responsive to local needs, the chief executive of one of the largest GP super-partnerships has told HSJ.
Doctors’ union rejects NHSE’s PCN contract
The British Medical Association’s GP committee rejected NHS England’s primary care network contract in a majority vote last night.
Two services face axe from embattled GP contract
NHS England is planning to drop altogether two of the five services it wanted primary care networks to deliver in 2020-21, in response to outcry from GPs, HSJ has learned.
New GP network rules face rewrite as criticism mounts
NHS England looks likely to row back quickly on its proposed requirements on GPs and primary care networks, after a deluge of strong opposition from GPs and others.
Outrage at NHSE decision to delay new medication reviews
People with learning disabilities or autism will continue to suffer “serious side-effects” amid further delays to a national programme aimed at stopping overuse of medicines to control their behaviour, a former national clinical director has warned.
Large-scale GP providers’ role in PCNs revealed
There are seven primary care networks entirely made up of multi-practice GP providers, with a further 38 composed of a single very large practice, according to data collected by HSJ.
NHS England: PCN services to be phased amid ‘overburdening’ risk
NHS England has acknowledged it risks “overburdening” primary care neworks “at an early stage with unrealistic expectations for new service delivery”, and emphasised that new requirements will be “phased”.
Baby died after trust failed to diagnose heart defect
“Serious failings” have been found at a foundation trust where a six-month-old baby died because his heart defect was not diagnosed, despite multiple opportunities to do so.
PCNs permitted to pay charities’ management costs
NHS England has made it easier for charities to be involved in primary care networks — by allowing ringfenced budgets to be used to pay for third party management costs.
BMA takes NHS property company to court over ‘unlawful’ fees
The British Medical Association will take the much-maligned NHS property company to court over fees charged which the union describes as “unjustifiable”.
Exclusive: Private finance scheme for the NHS scrapped
A much-vaunted scheme to use private investment for NHS capital projects has been officially scrapped, HSJ has learned.
Revealed: The NHS trusts acting as PCN "bankers"
Four NHS trusts have established a foothold in primary care networks, HSJ can reveal.
Revealed: 40 per cent of PCNs flout NHSE guidance on size
Two in five primary care networks fall outside the recommended population thresholds set by NHS England to help maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of the new structures, HSJ analysis shows.
Number of primary care IT suppliers to quadruple
GPs are set to receive IT services from a much broader pool of suppliers after more than 50 new companies successfully bid to be on a major framework.
Ex-NHSE digital chief becomes tech firm’s UK boss
A former NHS England digital chief has become UK managing director of a video GP company.
NHS England sets playing field for digital GP providers
Digital-first GP providers will have to set up a clinic in most localities where they have patients, and will be denied entry to areas which already have enough doctors, under new rules adopted by NHS England.
Exclusive: NHSE plans ‘unworkable’, says Babylon
Proposed rule changes to the provision of video GP appointments would have “unworkable practical and administrative implications” on digital primary care services, Babylon GP at Hand has said.
Babylon given the green light to expand in Birmingham
A cap on the number of patients that can register at Babylon GP at Hand’s new Birmingham service will be lifted next month, providing certain criteria are met, after commissioners backed the move this afternoon.
PM’s new health adviser says ‘ill-equipped’ NHS does not need ‘more money’
The prime minister’s new senior healthcare policy adviser believes that “more money is not the solution” to transforming the “hopelessly ill-equipped” NHS from “the monolith we have today”.
Primary care networks begin management recruitment drive
The first wave of job adverts for the new workforce going into primary care networks have been posted online, including various new managerial roles.
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