GP Fed Blog

I can hardly believe that 2019 is nearly over already! As we approach the new year, I am intrigued to see what will unfold following the General Election and how it will affect the future of the NHS. General Practice is facing extreme pressure, namely the falling number of full-time...

The evenings are drawing in, and the media are once again focusing on the impending NHS winter pressure.As I left my house this morning, with the first frost on the ground, I got into my car and tuned my car radio to Radio Suffolk, as I often do. The discussion...

I am sure you like me are frustrated about the continuing issues around mental health service provision in Suffolk. These are well summarised by Healthwatch Suffolk’s report (November 2018) – A Very Different Conversation (More information can be found here) We are aware that the current provider is being placed...

Let’s talk about . . . winter pressures. It is a well-known fact that winter occurs every year. This generates predictable increase in illness, predominantly respiratory infections. The bulk of this increased work is managed (brilliantly) in primary care, despite media coverage of either hospitals or ambulance services. What helps?...

And I mean YOU, all our fantastic primary care staff – reception, admin, nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, physician associates, GPs. I want you to be able to still be working in the service going forward that is properly funded and supported. We know that the age profile for many of key...

“A little less conversation, a little more action, please” (Elvis Presley, 1968) “If anyone had said ten years ago: ‘Here’s what the NHS should do now; cut the share of funding to primary care and grow the number of hospital specialists three times faster than GPs’ they would have been...

Congratulations to West Suffolk MP Matthew Hancock who is now the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. We feel proud that a Suffolk MP is in such a prestigious position and we look forward to continuing our close working relationship. It was interesting to note his three key...

You may be aware that Suffolk GP Federation has been successful in winning the bid for the out-of-hours GP service in Suffolk. We are partnering with Care UK. Why did we bid? The Fed believes that out-of-hours is an integral part of primary care. The patient presenting with a chest...

I don’t believe the 60s were the golden age of pop You glorify the past When the future dries up U2 Love (part3)   A year or so ago I sat in a tutorial at the deanery autumn seminar taken by Vijay Najjar talking about the different generational groupings and...

Those familiar with the recent Churchill films will be well aware of his bombastic speeches. His answer, of course, was: “Victory… at all costs”. The Fed’s aims are more modest: “to support primary care…at reasonable cost”. But we remain ambitious and are committed to finding innovative solutions to address challenges....