GP Fed Blog

2nd February 2017   As you’ve not doubt read, Prime Minister Theresa May recently called for GP surgeries to be open 8am-8pm, seven-days a week. As an organisation, Suffolk GP Federation has serious concerns about this plan – in particular the implied criticism that the current crisis in our emergency...

16th January 2017 “The patient is sinking while the doctors deliberate” General Marshall after visiting Europe in 1947   Much has been in the news about the crisis in the NHS. This is no surprise and is a result of years of under-funding of primary care, community and social services...

2016 has been a good year for the Suffolk GP Federation.  I am extremely proud to have been its Chair. The success of the Federation is down to the qualities of our non-executive team, our board and all the staff that work for us.  I have always believed that an...

6th December 2016 “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” Helen Keller On my last blog, I talked about the importance of GPs working collaboratively for mutual benefit. It is clear there is also a need for the wider team in health and social care...

22nd November 2016 “You have to think anyway – so why not think big?” Donald J Trump Isn’t it great when a quote and timing come together?! There has been a lot of discussion about general practice working at scale, something the Federation have been considering for some time.  Groupings...

8th November 2016 When the dog is outside the house he barks When the dog is inside the house he bites                                                 Chinese Proverb Many of you will be aware of the sustainability and transformation plans being developed nationally. More worryingly many of you are not aware. A recent...

25th October 2016 “They always say time changes things but actually you have to change them yourself ” – Andy Warhol Last week I was invited to speak at The King’s Fund Conference in London on emerging models of primary care. It was a stimulating day in the company of...

11th October 2016 “Anyone can do it with a format, sweetie.  The trick is to do it without one” (Duke Ellington on jazz) CEPNs (Community Education Provider Networks) I attended the HEEOE Autumn Seminar on CEPNs. These are looking at streamlining and enhancing education and training in the community. Their...

27th September 2016 “A stitch in time saves nine!” It was encouraging recently that since the imposition of the 5p charge on plastic bags; the number of bags used in the first year had reduced from 6.8 billion to fewer than 5.79 billion. I am sure like me you have...

13th September 2016 Last week (7th September) was the first birthday of our GP+ service. In the first 12 months we have provided over 15,000 extra GP appointments. The appointments, particularly in Ipswich, have been used by practices which are under considerable pressure. One the few initiatives I can remember...