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The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has warned of a potential 'mass exodus' of qualified GPs due to mounting work pressures. A recent RCGP survey found that over 40 per cent of GPs are unlikely to remain in general practice over the next five years, with a quarter stating it is "very unlikely." The situation is particularly concerning in England, with the highest rate of GPs considering leaving the profession reported to be in the East of England and the South East (47 per cent) and the lowest in the North West (36 per cent). Stress was cited as the main factor for leaving the profession, with more than half of respondents indicating that they find the job too stressful. Additionally, 13 per cent of respondents intend to leave the UK and work overseas. Almost 4 out of 10 GPs said they regularly worked more than 40 hours a week despite fewer than 1 in 10 being contracted to do so. The pressures faced by GPs are so severe that 22 per cent report feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope once or twice a week. The College noted that GPs and their teams have delivered an average of 30 million appointments per month in the past year - over 4 million more each month than in 2019 - despite the number of fully qualified, full-time equivalent GPs decreasing by 601 over the same period.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has urged non-GP partners and contractors, including pharmacists, nurses, and physiotherapists, to support their "Protect Your Patients, Protect Your GP Practice" campaign, which was launched to protest changes to the 2024/25 GP contract. GP contractors and partners across England have strongly opposed the modifications to the GMS contract, leading to an ongoing dispute with the NHS. The BMA highlights that general practice in England currently receives just 6 pence of every NHS pound and an average GMS 'global sum' of £107.57 per registered patient annually. Since 2018/19, CPI erosion to the GMS contract has resulted in a loss of £659 million, or 6.6%. This financial strain has contributed to the closure or merger of over 1,300 practices over the past decade. To address these issues, the BMA is urging all GP contractors and partner members to vote YES in the GPC England non-statutory ballot, which will be open until July 29.

NHS England has reassured that GP Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme funding will continue in 2025/26, encouraging primary care networks (PCNs) to use it for recruiting recently qualified GPs. In October 2024, updates to the Network Contract DES specification enabled PCNs to claim reimbursement for hiring recently qualified GPs through the ARRS for the remainder of 2024/25. An additional £82 million in funding was also announced to allow PCNs to employ over 1,000 additional GPs. This action is part of the government's strategy to boost long-term GP employment, helping practices offer more appointments for patients and addressing the issue of unemployment among newly qualified GPs. However, NHS England recognised that uncertainty about the continuation of ARRS funding beyond 2024/25 has been a barrier for some PCNs in undertaking recruitment of recently qualified GPs. To address this, Dr. Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHSE, issued an official statement reaffirming the continuation of this funding into 2025/26.

The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) has urged the government to allocate at least £2 billion in funding to enhance the 'outdated' GP infrastructure, including IT systems and practice buildings. The College, representing over 54,000 family doctors in the UK - has warned that GP practice buildings are "falling apart" and this can have a serious impact on patients' experience and access to care and services. In a recent poll of RCGP members, a third of the GPs (30 per cent) reported that their work PC or laptop software is "not fit for purpose", while 33 per cent indicated that their practice building is inadequate for providing care for patients. Additionally, 56 per cent of GPs reported that they could not effectively exchange information with NHS trusts due to fundamental inadequacies in their digital infrastructure. RCGP stated: "If GPs are unable to easily share information with hospitals and other secondary care hubs this can lead to disjointed care and a poorer patient experience.

The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) has called on the government to increase investment in general practice, stating that they are now "seriously struggling" due to years of underfunding and neglect. As evidence of the mounting workload pressures faced by GPs, new research published by the RCGP has revealed that GPs are now responsible for an average of 2,300 patients each. Concerningly, the ratio has become even worse in areas of higher deprivation, where the need is greatest. The RCGP research found that over the past six years, the average number of patients per GP in areas with the highest level of income deprivation has risen by 260, marking a 12 per cent increase-nearly double the rate observed in the least deprived areas. In these areas, one GP is responsible for 2,450 patients, which is over 300 more patients than their counterparts in the least deprived regions. Addressing the RCGP's annual conference 2024 in Liverpool on Thursday, College Chair Professor Kamila Hawthorne said: "When I became a GP, it was normal to have a list size between 1,600-1,800 patients. The role was busy and challenging, but it was manageable. Our latest figures reveal that the average is now 2,300.

Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has urged pharmacy owners to maintain the safety of their services while managing the additional workload brought on by the collective action of GP services, starting today (Thursday, 1 August). General practices across England have begun implementing a work-to-rule strategy indefinitely, following a ballot of GP partners conducted by the British Medical Association (BMA). Under this approach, GP practices will strictly adhere to contracted hours and duties, performing only the tasks specified in their NHS contract. With fewer GP appointments available, it is anticipated that more patients will turn to their community pharmacies for help and advice. Therefore, CPE has stressed the importance of pharmacy owners maintaining the safety of their services, with a focus on the safe supply of medicines, during this period of GP collective action.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has raised 'serious concerns' about the impact of the increase in National Insurance on GP practices, and is calling for adequate funding to cover these additional costs. In the 2024 Budget of the new Labour government, the rate of employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) was raised by 1.2 percentage points to 15%, effective from 6 April 2025. The per-employee threshold at which employers start paying NICs was also reduced from £9,100 per year to £5,000 per year. RCGP Chair Professor Kamila Hawthorne has warned that this extra financial burden could lead to the closure of some GP practices. "We have very serious concerns about the impact of the increase in National Insurance employer contributions on GP practices right across the country, many of whom are already struggling to keep their doors open and make ends meet due to historic chronic underfunding.

A new study published in BMJ Open journal has revealed a significant decline in the number of general practices in England over the past decade, alongside shifts in workforce dynamics and organisational structures. Conducted by researchers from University College London (UCL) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the study analysed data from NHS England, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). They found that, between April 2013 and April 2023, the total number of general practices fell by 20 per cent, dropping from 8,044 to 6,419-an average loss of 178 practices per year. The decline coincided with an 11 per cent increase in the total population registered with a GP practice, which saw average practice list sizes swell by 40 per cent from 6,967 to 9,724 patients. Additionally, the number of unique practice postcodes decreased from 7163 to 5849, representing the loss of 18 per cent practice locations over this period.

As an Alphega pharmacy mentor, Sue Dobson has worked with pharmacists across the country, helping them adapt to the growing responsibilities and challenges they face in their profession. One of the most exciting developments in recent years has been the Pharmacy First initiative, which positions community pharmacists as key players in patient care, especially through GP referrals. However, Sue has seen firsthand that the success of this initiative depends largely on the strength of the relationships we build with GPs and how we integrate these referrals into our day-to-day operations. Some pharmacists have thrived by establishing strong, collaborative relationships, while others have struggled to break down initial barriers of trust. In this conversation, she speaks with Anil Chauhan, a Preston pharmacist who, along with his partner Yasar Hussain, has made GP referrals a seamless part of their practice. Their success story is a great example of how perseverance, trust-building, and a proactive approach can truly make a difference in the Pharmacy First model. Sue Dobson: Anil, you and Yasar have done a great job with the Pharmacy First initiative and GP referrals. Can you start by sharing how you first got involved with GP referrals and what made it successful in your practice?

To maximise the benefits of the Pharmacy First service for patients, the NHS, and community pharmacies, Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has advised the community pharmacists to to establish a robust relationship between community pharmacies and local general practices. The news comes after several reports highlighted issues regarding GP referrals for the seven minor ailment conditions under the Pharmacy First services. According to the reports, many pharmacists claimed that "many GPs in England are not sending patients to them to be treated - and that some are refusing to participate at all in the "groundbreaking" Pharmacy First scheme". In response to foster better relationship with the GPs, CPE has said that strong local collaborations will enable general practice teams to confidently refer patients to the Pharmacy First and other community pharmacy services where appropriate. Moreover, the organisation emphasised implementation of long-term changes in practice will take time. The current focus on integrating GP referrals to Pharmacy First will likely require sustained effort over several months or longer.

At their recent online briefing, DAUK's GP committee outlined a comprehensive 10-point plan designed to relieve pressure on GPs, improve access, reduce mortality rates, lower hospital admissions, and enhance patient satisfaction. DAUK's manifesto advocates reallocating resources, including the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS), currently directed towards Pharmacy First and acute care hub pilots, amounting to £2 billion. This strategic reallocation aims to enhance primary care capacity and reduce reliance on acute services. Dr Lizzie Toberty, DAUK's GP lead, emphasised the critical need for patients to have timely access to GPs who understand their needs, stating, "We need patients to be able to see a GP who knows them and understands their needs in a timely way wherever possible." She highlighted DAUK's vision to restore general practice as the cornerstone of the NHS through practical, achievable solutions.

The Company Chemists Association (CCA) has published a report highlighting the key findings of a roundtable it hosted earlier this month. The CCA convened the virtual roundtable to examine the best practice undertaken by a cross-section of LPCs to promote the delivery of the Pharmacy First service. Key recommendations for how LPCs can help support pharmacy contractors to deliver the Pharmacy First service include: Direct engagement with NHS regions who can supply funding to drive Pharmacy First engagement and promotional activity. Engagement with a variety of staff within GP surgeries, ranging from reception staff to GP partners, to drive referrals, as well as build understanding and awareness of the benefits to General Practice. Harnessing data to inform GP surgeries how they are performing locally Using data to ensure pharmacies close any open referrals promptly. Using multiple channels to promote the service, including the sharing of best practice, myth busting, use of data and creating tools which can be readily used by pharmacies and GPs. Encouraging pharmacy staff to highlight the Pharmacy First service to customers - with specific emphasis on the provision of NHS-funded care, timely access and convenience the service provides. The CCA said the report is intended to support all LPCs and pharmacy contractors as they work together to care for patients requiring urgent NHS care in their community.

Ensuring comprehensive healthcare services for the community necessitates collaboration between pharmacies and GP surgeries. However, several pharmacists have voiced concerns about a lack of cooperation from their local GPs in implementing the Pharmacy First (PF) service. In a survey conducted by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) covering 470 pharmacies across England, three-quarters of pharmacists (77 per cent) indicated that local GP practices are not appropriately referring patients to the new service. The survey highlighted instances of patients either not being referred or being referred but found ineligible for support through Pharmacy First. Additionally, one in five NPA members (19 per cent) felt that their local GP practices were not engaging with the initiative at all. Commenting on the issue, NPA chair Nick Kaye said: "Feedback from across our network suggests that the rollout of Pharmacy First varies considerably from area to area.

A massive global technology outage on Friday has disrupted essential services, including healthcare, airlines, banks, and broadcasters worldwide. The outage, attributed to a flawed update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, has also affected the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, with several hospitals and GP practices losing access to their computer systems. Community pharmacies are also facing significant disruptions. Services such as accessing prescriptions from GPs and medicine deliveries have been affected, causing inconvenience to patients and healthcare providers. An NHS spokesperson said: "The NHS is aware of a global IT outage and an issue with EMIS, an appointment and patient record system, which is causing disruption in the majority of GP practices." The spokesperson assured that the NHS has long-standing measures in place to manage such disruptions, including the use of paper patient records and handwritten prescriptions, and the usual phone systems to contact GPs.

The Dispensing Doctors' Association (DDA) is advising patients left deserted due to pharmacy closures in rural areas to consult their general practice about accessing the GP dispensing service. This recommendation comes in response to concerns that England's rural areas are increasingly becoming pharmacy 'deserts', posing challenges for residents to access essential medications and healthcare services. DDA chairman Dr Richard West said: "The GP dispensing service is designed to ensure NHS medicine supply in areas where people have little or no access to a pharmacy service. "People in rural areas who now live more than a mile from a pharmacy should speak to their GP about whether they can receive the NHS GP dispensing service."

EMIS Pinnacle, the leading Pharmacy First IT supplier, has begun implementing the GP Connect Update Record feature to all community pharmacies in England that use PharmOutcomes. Starting June 28, this new feature was made available for use with the Hypertension case-finding service and the Pharmacy contraception service, as announced by the Community Pharmacy England (CPE). The GP Connect Update Record will enable community pharmacies to securely share "structured" information with GP practices regarding consultations conducted under the Pharmacy First programme, which includes minor illness and clinical pathways, along with Hypertension Case Finding and Pharmacy Contraception services Live testing is underway with EMIS Pinnacle for Pharmacy First minor illness and clinical pathways. There are plans to expand the system in the future to include updates for urgent supply of medicines under the Pharmacy First service. EMIS Pinnacle is the third CPCF IT system supplier to offer this functionality, following Cegedim's Pharmacy Services system and Positive Solutions' HXConsult system.

Marking Pharmacy First's first anniversary in England, the Company Chemists' Association (CCA) has called on policymakers to expand the service, highlighting that there's still "significant room for growth." In a report released today, the association estimates that expanding the service could free up 40 million general practice (GP) appointments every year - more than four times the current potential - and around a tenth of all GP appointments. In its current form, the service is expected to free up more than 9 million GP appointments annually. The CCA has recommended expanding the criteria and treatments available for the existing seven conditions and introducing new conditions. According to the report, community pharmacies provided nearly 1.5 million consultations for the seven covered conditions -earaches, urinary tract infections, sore throats

The 2025/26 pharmacy contract consultation will include a review of the medicine margin and reimbursement arrangements, health and care minister Stephen Kinnock has confirmed. Kinnock made this statement in response to a written question from Nick Timothy, Conservative MP for West Suffolk, who asked the secretary of state for health and social care, if he will review the reimbursement system for pharmacies and GP practices dispensing medicines. Kinnock stated that consultation with Community Pharmacy England (CPE) for the 2025/26 Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) has started and will include "reviewing the allowance for medicine margin as part of funding, and any further changes to the reimbursement arrangements." However, he clarified that there are currently no plans to review the reimbursement system for general practices (GPs) dispensing medicines. Kinnock said: "Dispensing practices receive a dispensing fee, approximately £2.00 to £2.30 per item, which is intended to cover dispensing costs. "This fee is calculated based on forecasted volumes of prescriptions to be dispensed and the size of the funding envelope, according to a methodology agreed by the Department, the General Practitioners Committee (GPC), NHS Employers, and the Welsh Government."

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has warned of potential pharmacy closures in the coming months if long-standing funding cuts are not addressed and pharmacies are not supported with the National Insurance rise. With Downing Street suggesting that GP surgeries may receive extra support to offset the increase in employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) later this year, NPA chief executive Paul Rees has called on the government to extend similar support to pharmacies. A No 10 spokeswoman clarified that contracted workers, including GPs, were not eligible for an exemption from the NICs hike, which she said was consistent with the approach of previous governments. "There is a general process whereby departments, the Department of Health, for example, confirm their funding for general practices," the spokeswoman said, noting this process would occur later in the year. In response, Paul said that it would be "an insult" if GPs were provided support for the National Insurance rise but not hard-working pharmacies, who have faced nearly a decade of cuts in funding and are shutting at record rates.

A PAGB report has emphasised the need to empower the public to practice self-care and improve access to over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to alleviate pressure on GPs and reduce NHS costs. Launched at the Labour Party Conference today, the PAGB's State of the Nation report explores the current state of self-care and OTC medicines. The report outlines 11 recommendations for the government to consider as part of its strategy to build an NHS fit for the future. It highlights that each year, at least 25 million GP appointments and 5 million A&E visits are used for self-treatable illnesses, which can be effectively managed through self-care. The report suggests that empowering individuals to utilise OTC medicines could save the NHS at least £1.7 billion per year in costs. Furthermore, it says that eliminating these appointments could save the economy an additional £350m per year, as employees would not need to take time off work for unnecessary treatments. PAGB welcomed the government's manifesto commitments to take pressure off GP surgeries by "improving access to services and treatment through new routes" and to expand the role of pharmacists.