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In this week’s episode, brought to you in partnership with Practice Index, we welcome back podcast regulars Claire Houston & Robyn Clark to discuss the financial challenges currently facing general practice. Together they highlight how inadequate core contract funding and rising inflation are leaving practices unable to cover the real costs of staffing and operations. They also examine the upcoming October contract changes, considering how these may heighten patient expectations around appointments and access, while creating practical challenges for practices working across both digital and analogue systems. Finally, they reflect on the uncertainty surrounding the future of general practice, stressing the importance of safe staffing levels, staff wellbeing, and the urgent need for honest conversations with government about funding and expectations to secure the sustainability of primary care.

Introduction (00:09)

Practice Index (00:43)

changes to the contract since it was first agreed.. (01:21)

Funding.. (05:47)

Have take home profits gone up in practice? (07:42)

Uncertainty for practice, uncertainty for staff and insufficient funding.. (09:03)

Increase in patient expectations (13:37)

What’s different from what was available on the 1st of April? (15:17)

Do you think there’s a chance the wording will get changed? (18:41)

What’s your advice? (23:00)

The new contract.. (25:21)

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.

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What if general practice could seamlessly connect with secondary care? In this episode, Ben speaks with Dr. Charlie Andrews, a GP at Somerset’s Summer Valley Medical Group and a leading voice in gastroenterology. Charlie shares his journey and the inspiration behind pioneering specialised roles for GPs. He discusses his innovative training programme, supported by NHS England and the Southwest Endoscopy Training Academy, which empowers GPs to expand into areas like inflammatory bowel disease and endoscopy while collaborating with hospital specialists. Charlie also explores the challenges of recruiting and funding GPs for extended roles and explains the practical implementation guide that ensures smooth transitions and proper supervision. Join us for an insightful conversation about how collaboration, innovation, and passion are reshaping patient care, bridging the gap between primary and secondary care, and opening exciting new pathways for GPs across the UK.

Introduction (0:09)

Does anyone else offer the same training programme? (03:54)

Joint working between General Practice & Secondary care.. (04:21)

A two way learning.. (06:45)

Referral and utilisation rates (07:23)

Making it better for patients (08:01)

The 10 year plan (08:46)

The training programme (10:17)

The placements (12:44)

Funding (14:14)

Learnings so far.. (15:53)

Find out more.. (17:54)

What does gastroenterology look like in 10 years time (20:17)

Getting in touch (22:28)

Access the GPwER framework document here.

The GPwER course brochure can be found here.

The training programme evaluation can be found here.

Listen to Charlies educational podcast that he runs for the PCSG for primary care clinicians here.

Contact Charlie directly via email here.

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

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In this episode, Ben explores the NHS’s 10 year plan through the lens of general practice funding. Joined by finance expert Andy Pow, they unpack the major shifts proposed in the plan, including resource movement from acute care to community services and the ambitious productivity expectations placed on general practice. Andy shares his insights on the feasibility of these changes and the implications of emerging GP contracts, such as single and multi-neighborhood provider models, which could fundamentally reshape funding and delivery structures. The discussion also touches on governance challenges, potential cultural friction, and the risk of small practices being sidelined by larger entities. This episode offers a deep dive into how general practice must evolve to remain central in a shifting healthcare landscape.

Introduction (0:08)

The 10 year plan (00:50)

No new cash.. (01:52)

Do you think that is an opportunity for general practice? (02:30)

A move away from funding for general practice being primarily via the core contract? (03:51)

PCN DES (05:17)

Where is the money to go into the core general practice contract? (06:12)

The two new contracts.. (07:53)

Can PCNs take on the contracts?? (09:23)

 ICBs are being encouraged to get a range of potential providers for these contracts.. (11:18)

What are you signing up for?. (12:40)

Full circle.. (14:25)

How important is it that General Practice holds these contracts? (15:50)

How do we be proactive and not act like victims to all of this? (17:24)

A risk or an opportunity for General Practice? (19:18)

What’s your advice? (21:08)

Getting in touch.. (22:34)

Visit the Pow and Thomas website here.

To find Andy Pow on socials, visit his X profile here, Bluesky here & Linkedin here.

To find Power and Thomas on socials, visit their X profile here, Bluesky here & Linkedin here.

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

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In this episode, healthcare leaders Katie Bramall-Stainer & Alice Benton unpack the newly published 10-year NHS plan, highlighting the vital yet often overlooked role of practicing professionals in shaping effective policy. They explore the transformative potential of tools like the NHS app and AI, the real world challenges facing GPs, and the shifting balance of resources from hospitals to community care. With a strong focus on funding transparency, integration, and the importance of GP voices in decision making, this conversation is a timely call for healthcare professionals to stay engaged, informed, and proactive in shaping the future of general practice.

Introduction (0:08)

The 10 year plan (00:39)

The front door of the NHS (03:39)

The core contract (12:38)

The heart of the system (15:19)

The direction of travel (18:49)

What’s your advice? (22:23)

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