Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS

In this week’s podcast episode, Ben hosts Colin Armstead from George House Trust and Kay Keane from Urban Village Medical Practice, both located in Manchester. The mission of George House Trust is to empower individuals living with HIV, helping them lead healthy and confident lives through the provision of HIV support, advice, and advocacy services. The main topic of discussion revolves around the accessibility of GPs and their understanding regarding individuals living with HIV, with a particular focus on George House Trust’s recent report titled ‘Towards Positive Practice’. This report involved extensive research and engagement activities aimed at understanding the experiences of people living with HIV when seeking primary healthcare, specifically from GPs. During the podcast, Colin presents the report’s findings and outlines the recommendations that have emerged as a result.

Introduction (0:09)

How Kay came across Colin & the George House trust.. (0:54)

GP access for those living with HIV.. (3:03)

Stigma around HIV.. (4:31)

‘Towards Positive Practice’ report.. (5:59)

Kays thoughts on the statistics.. (9:19)

What should we expect GPs to know? (12:59)

Where do responsibilities lie? (14:06)

Partnerships between the HIV clinics & local practices.. (15:55)

Providing access for the people who need it most.. (21:17)

What practices can do to give a better experience for those living with HIV? (23:11)

Find out more.. (24:35)

Visit the George House Trust website here and access the ‘Towards Positive Practice’ report here.

For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS

Today, Ben is accompanied by Ben Allen, Partner at a Sheffield GP and Clinical Director for primary care in Sheffield, supporting primary care to thrive. During the podcast, they delve into the document that Ben has worked on, titled ‘Another General Practice is possible’, a document that has served as a catalyst for initiating change within Ben’s practice. Upon joining the practice, Ben immediately recognised the potential for improvement and dedicated considerable time to research and investigation, looking deeper into ways to facilitate change. Ben identified a variety of alterations that could be implemented, including restructuring partner meetings, ensuring everyone is in the right seats, refining the recruitment process and much more. Ben expresses his delight with the positive impact that ‘Another General Practice is possible’ has already had, reflecting on his accomplishments thus far and sharing his plans for the future.

Introduction (0:09)

Why was change needed? (0:43)

Ben’s beginnings in the practice.. (2:45)

How long was spent on the framework of Another General Practice is possible? (3:55)

Infrastructure around the changes.. (4:24)

Changes to the partner meetings.. (6:57)

Trusting your staff.. (7:35)

Sharing the ownership within the practice.. (8:18)

Understanding the problems before making solutions.. (9:11)

Proactively getting everyone in the right seats.. (11:50)

Wrong person in power within practices.. (12:59)

Changes to recruitment.. (14:10)

Recruiting the right type of people.. (17:33)

Where are we now? (19:31)

Ben’s reflections & what’s next.. (21:01)

How to find out more & get in touch.. (22:29)

Another General Practice is Possible

To find out more, contact Ben Allen via email or find Ben on twitter ‘BenAllenGP’

For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS

This week, Ben offers a solo episode where he discusses the future for PCNs and shares his insights on what to expect from March 2024 onwards. During the podcast, he covers various topics, including the NHS long term plan, the 5 year GP contract and the Fuller stocktake report. Ben also addresses the growing unpopularity of PCNs and offers his perspective on the reasons behind this. He sheds light on integrated neighbourhood teams and their implications for the healthcare system. Looking ahead, Ben explores the focus on integration in next year’s contract and the existing gap between General Practice and the rest of the healthcare system. He provides valuable insights into what aspects we should and shouldn’t be concerned about once the contract concludes in March next year. Ben ends the episode by emphasising the importance of taking proactive steps now to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Introduction – what is the future of PCNs? (0:09)

The Context:

1. The NHS Long Term Plan.. (1:12)

2. The new five-year GP contract (2.37)

3. Fuller Stocktake report (4:25)

4. Integrated Care Systems.. (5:52)

5. Noise Re: nationalisation of General Practice.. (6:49)

Where are we now? (8:18)

1. An increase in the unpopularity of PCNs.. (9:54)

2. Integrated Neighbourhood Teams.. (11:10)

3. Next year’s contract? (12:23)

What does all this mean? (13:33)

What should we be worried about from March next year? (14:41)

What shouldn’t we be worried about from March next year? (16:58)

What do we do now? (18:30)

Listen to Matthew Winn – ICS Incoming…. Primary Care and Community Trusts here.

For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS

This week’s episode features discussions led by panel members Jo Wadey, Robyn Clark, and Nicola Davies. This episode, brought in partnership with Practice Index, focuses on the ‘NHS Long Term Workforce Plan’. They delve into the positive aspects associated with the long-term plan while also addressing the concerns they have since its publication. The panel members discuss recruitment within practices, the incorporation of additional roles and the allocation of funding. Jo, Robyn, and Nicola highlight the benefits of the long-term plan; however, they also express their apprehensions regarding the absence of any specific mention of management within the practices. Ben ends the discussion by asking for the IGPMs response to the plan. 

Introduction & thoughts on the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan (0:09)

Recruiting trainees & apprentices.. (1:59)

The panel’s opinions on the plans for GP recruitment.. (4:01)

Increasing specialist doctors in GPs.. (5:34)

Would you recruit a specialist doctor in your practice? (8:02)

Additional roles & funding..  (11:03)

The issue of pay.. (14:13)

NHS Long Term Workforce Plan not referencing GP managers.. (15:05)

Government vs local support? (18:20)

IGPM response to the plan.. (24:12)

To visit the Practice Index website, click here or contact James Dillon here.

For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.