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.
Chief nurse to ‘pick up’ non-medical referrals dispute
England’s chief nursing officer has said NHS Improvement will be “picking up” issues with an acute trust blocking non-medical referrals, despite national guidance stating they should be accepted.
Doctors demand NHSE reconsider ‘watered down’ CCG merger rules
Doctors have demanded NHS England review how clinical commissioning group merger decisions are being made amid concern they are going ahead without clear approval from GPs.
Real terms budget cut for community pharmacy
Funding for community pharmacy will be cut by 9 per cent in real terms under a new deal in which the sector will be expected to provide more clinical services.
Top GP provider to close practice after ‘big reduction’ in doctors
The prominent GP “super partnership” Modality will close one of five GP surgeries it runs in Hull, which it says will make its services in the city safe and sustainable.
Digital GP provider stopped children’s appointments after CQC warning
An online GP provider suspended appointments for under 18s after the Care Quality Commission raised concerns over the sharing of data, the regulator has revealed, but the provider was rated “good” overall”.
Digital GP firms could be forced to focus on areas with doctor shortages
New digital primary care providers could be made to set up in under-doctored areas, NHS England has said.
Plan to break up CCG rejected
Sandwell and West Birmingham GPs have rejected a proposal to break-up their clinical commissioning group, despite the city’s local medical committee saying a vote against the split would be a “disaster”.
NHSE plans new controls on expansion of ‘Uber-GP’ service
NHS England is proposing changes in GP funding and regulation to control the expansion of Babylon’s controversial digital-first GP at Hand service, Simon Stevens has said.
Deputy clinical directors will share the primary care network load
Commissioners in the East Midlands are hiring deputy directors to support the clinical directors leading its primary care networks.
Babylon GP at Hand launches Birmingham clinic this week
Controversial digital GP practice Babylon GP at Hand has officially launched a new clinic in Birmingham, offering services in the city from tomorrow.
GP at Hand’s Birmingham practice faces catchment area limits
Restrictions are set to be placed on Babylon GP at Hand’s new practice in Birmingham, including the size of its catchment area and the number of patients who can sign up to services.
Review found ‘significant concerns’ about conflicts at CCG
A clinical commissioning group has been criticised for how it handled potential conflicts of interest when it handed out contracts to organisations owned by its own GPs.
GPs snub partnerships for locum and salaried roles
The number of GPs opting to work as salaried employees or locums rather than taking on partner roles is continuing to rise, according to the latest NHS workforce data.
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