Zika virus: essential information for GPs

  The outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) in South and Central America has been declared a public health emergency by WHO after it has been linked to a cluster of cases of microcephaly in neonates in Brazil. The virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, usually causes only a mild self-limiting illness but is causing sufficient … Continue reading →

Should I work as a Sole Trader or via a Limited Company as a locum GP?

Most locum GPs operate as what is known as Sole Traders where you, the GP are the business, owner and manager. However a proportion of GPs are operating via Limited Companies (Ltds). In this case, the business is a separate legal entity and the GP is the director who holds all or a proportion of … Continue reading →

The Silent Epidemic of GANFYD: another threat to GPs

GPs are facing another paperwork mountain as some schools are now insisting that children who are too ill to do PE should get a note from their doctor. The initiative, reported by Netmums, and The Daily Mail, has been launched in response to a survey by Chance to Shine, a charity promoting cricket in schools, … Continue reading →

I’m a part-time female GP and I make no excuses

It’s time to come clean: hello (coughs, stands up awkwardly to face the group), I’m a part-time female GP.  Who would own up to that after we’ve been blamed for the apparent demise of primary care, first by Merion Thomas in the Daily Mail and now Dominic Lawson in The Times. Apparently I’m bringing the … Continue reading →

Sugar tax threatens NHS staff with starvation

Row breaks out over whether cinnamon sprinkles are taxable on a soya macchiato The tax on sugar in hospitals is already predicted to cause another NHS crisis as staff protested that there is no other choice of food. The tax, proposed by the government as a way of promoting health amongst the workforce is reported … Continue reading →

The GP who worked in a hernia factory: why primary care needs to do less

Why GPs should resist taking on more work from secondary care Atul Gawande’s Complications is a series of essays on the limits and human fallibility of medicine. Gawande, a thyroid surgeon and best-selling author, takes one chapter to explore whether computers make better decisions than doctors (apparently, they do). As part of this, he visits … Continue reading →

Double booked as a GP locum? No problem

  Photo by Len Matthews Ever had a practice phone asking where you are? Since becoming a locum, I discovered that no day off has really begun until 9.20 am and I haven’t received a phone call from an angry practice manager saying, “There are already 4 patients here – where are you?” Double-bookings are … Continue reading →

Get organised as a portfolio GP in 2016

Are you a portfolio GP with too many roles? Are spending every evening pouring over emails or your diary trying to keep up with it all? Here are 5 ways to get organised in 2016.   (I am guilty of everything below but now is the time to change!). Decide what sessions you’re available for clinical … Continue reading →

A year on the blog: what you read most in 2015

It’s the end of the year and time to look back on the best blog articles of 2015. Here’s what you read most over the last year – and it might not be what you think. Most clicked upon Spoof posting GPs storm London Transport in exodus to become tube drivers featured GP Dr Totali … Continue reading →

The Sick Doctors Trust

Lizzie Croton, GP writes about The Sick Doctors Trust, a charity providing support for doctors concerned about their use of alcohol or drugs It’s a tremendous privilege to be able to offer a listening ear to a fellow professional. The stories we hear can be harrowing but I believe that once that person takes that … Continue reading →