Royal College of General Practitioners
@rcgp
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We are the professional home for GPs, led by GPs, maintaining the highest standards in patient care.
Joined May 2009
We have written to Julia Hartley-Brewer withdrawing her invite to speak at RCGPAC. It has become clear that some of the views she has expressed are too much at odds w the core values of RCGP & our members, and our work to promote inclusivity w/in the profession & among patients.
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We're calling for a halt to recruitment of PAs in general practice following our consultation with over 5,000 GPs, until they are regulated & practices are in a position to implement our forthcoming guidance on scope of practice, induction & supervision.
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RCGP governing UK Council has today voted to oppose a role for Physician Associates working in general practice. You can read more here.
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Earlier today we wrote to @MattHancock calling for an immediate delay to the GP data for planning & research programme #GPDPR. @NHSDigital have failed to sufficiently communicate these plans to patients & there is not enough time for informed decisions to be made. (1/2).
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Confirming our position that there is no role for Physician Associates in general practice – our Chair @KamilaRCGP submits letter to the Leng Review. #LengReview
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We are deeply concerned about Dr Arora’s case. Whilst we welcome the decision by @gmcuk to review the ruling, we will be asking for answers as to why the case was allowed to get through their screening processes and end in a Fitness to Practise Hearing and receiving a sanction.
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#RCGPCouncil has passed a motion to oppose the UK's exit from the European Union (46 for; 11 against; 6 abstentions); #RCGPCouncil has passed a motion to support a #PeoplesVote (38 for; 18 against; 7 abstentions). Press release with full text of the motion to follow. @HelenRCGP.
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We're appalled by the sustained campaign against hardworking GPs by some sections of the media. We've written to the @Telegraph who will publish our response to Allison Pearson's unfair and demoralising column tomorrow.
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We want to take this evening to appreciate and remember the brave, compassionate professionals who have lost their lives saving others during this pandemic. Thank you for being there for us, we will remember you.
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Our new College guidance for GP practices employing Physician Associates is now available. This does not change our policy position that we oppose a role for PAs within general practice. However, we recognise that many practices already employ PAs and our guidance aims to give.
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"GPs working ‘part-time’ are in fact working more than full-time, with reams of paperwork to complete when they are not seeing patients". Read @MartinRCGP's letter in today’s @thetimes refuting yesterday's article about part-time working in general practice.
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We are pleased to see @wesstreeting back our calls to review ARRS funding to free up practices to recruit more GPs. Patients are crying out for appointments, whilst newly qualified GPs are unable to find work. This nonsensical situation can't go on.
Labour will review ARRS to end 'absurd' GP unemployment crisis, says @wesstreeting #GPnews.
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We've responded to the announcement on GP access being made by Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, @theresecoffey. Visit our website to read our full response. ➡️ @MartinRCGP
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More than 1 million patient consultations happen every day in general practice - more than half are face to face. The equivalent of a fifth of the population had a f2f appointment in the last month -more than a million referrals to specialist services happened in both June & July.
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Our Chair Professor @KamilaRCGP has submitted a second letter to the Leng Review to reiterate our position that there is no role for PAs in general practice, and to raise concerns that the survey the Review is running is not tailored enough to general practice. Read the letter:
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In response to media coverage commenting on GP practices and their individual working arrangements, please read our statement from @KamilaRCGP ⬇️
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College Chair @KamilaRCGP in @Telegraph this morning responding to recent anti-GP headlines. "The Government should focus on delivering the 6,000 more GPs promised in its manifesto, not on demonising and demoralising hardworking GPs who are keeping the NHS upright"
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We now believe that the current #GPDPR timeline risks a repeat of the fiasco of 2013. @DHSCgovuk must act now and ensure an immediate delay to current plans. (2/2).
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Following discussion at RCGP Council today, the College has updated and strengthened its 'red lines' on physician associates working in general practice. Read our statement here➡️
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We have announced our decision to cancel an energy conference due to take place at our headquarters later this month as it conflicts with our commitment to tackle climate change.
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#RCGPCouncil member - there is a great need for more research into transgender care & impacts of treatment. Too often accused of being transphobic when questioning the evidence re treatment, but it's essential we get it right based on high-quality clinical evidence.
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We have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, calling on him to tackle the urgent decline in the number of GPs and to prevent a disastrous no-deal Brexit which would damage our NHS.
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Listen out for @KamilaRCGP on @TimesRadio shortly re: our story in @thetimes this morning highlighting recruitment and funding issues GPs are facing. “Patients are crying out for appointments because we don’t have enough GPs…it’s a scandal newly qualified GPs can’t find work”
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We'd like to clarify that physician associates (PAs) are members of the clinical multidisciplinary team, complementary to GPs rather than a substitute.
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The RCGP does not consider #COVID19 to be a lifestyle disease. We recognise that the title of today’s conference could be misleading and we apologise for any offence caused. The purpose of the conference is to support GPs to to give appropriate lifestyle advice for patients.
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'GPs have been delivering a predominantly remote service in order to comply with official guidance and help stop the spread of #COVID19. Any implication that they have not been doing their job properly is an insult to GPs and their teams' @MartinRCGP
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We’re so sorry to see this. It’s completely unacceptable for GPs and other practice team members to be targeted with this kind of abuse. General practice is making more patient consultations than before #COVID19 with more than 400,000 face to face every day.
Our dedicated, hardworking team of GPs came in on Mon morning to be faced with this. The public is fed a diet of this narrative from @Telegraph and @DailyMailUK . We will continue serving our deprived population with pride. @jkaffash .@NikkiKF .@rvautrey .@doctor_katie.@dr_zo
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Delighted to announce that @AmandaCHowe has been elected as the next President of the RCGP! Thank you to all candidates who stood and all members who voted. Amanda will take up her position when @DoctorMayur demits office in November 2019. Congratulations, Amanda!
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Thank you to all the GPs and their teams working hard to deliver excellent care to their patients this weekend #ImInWorkJeremy.
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Read about how GPs across the world have responded to the Covid-19 pandemic, from family doctors in South Korea to GPs in Switzerland and New York, in the new edition of GP Frontline out now. @RealDoctorMike
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General practice is greatest team sport in medicine - but patients can struggle with the concept of a multi-disciplinary team when they want to see a GP. We need an info campaign that seeing a practice nurse or pharmacist isn’t a 2nd best option @HelenRCGP #FutureVisionGP #Lab19.
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Good to sit down with @wesstreeting today to discuss the intense pressures GPs and our teams are facing and set out what steps we think the government needs to take to address them. With the right political will, action and resource we can get general practice back on its feet.
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We're aware of concerns raised in response to words used by our Chair, Kamila Hawthorne, at yesterday’s Health Select Committee. Her remarks in relation to PAs were made in the context of a wider message about GP practices not having the space to train and host the various roles.
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We’re extremely concerned about the impact that additional NI contributions will have on GPs, their practices and their patients. We’re approaching the Government and will keep members updated. #AutumnBudget.
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Today we are delighted to officially welcome Professor Kamila Hawthorne as our new Chair. Kamila is the first South Asian woman to become Chair of Council and works as a GP in the Welsh valleys. @KamilaRCGP. Read more here
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Dr Mikhail Varshavski, @RealDoctorMike to his millions of followers, is using social media to cut through fake news - Find out how in our GP Lives series in the latest #GPFrontline College magazine
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Congratulations to @draartibansal @claregerada @docmagsy @drgilechukwu @drexplainthis and @SonaliKinra on their election to #RCGPCouncil. They will sit for a 3-year term from November. Thank you to the 30 candidates who put themselves forward. @MartinRCGP.
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.@MartinRCGP setting the record straight on GP access during #COVID19 in a letter to @Telegraph this morning, following a number of articles in the paper
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General practice is not closed, and perpetuating the narrative that it is is dangerous to both patients and primary care staff. Years of underinvestment in general practice - and a chronic shortage of GPs must be addressed.
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We are deeply concerned about the lack of communication around Government proposals for the use of patient data. It’s essential patients and GPs are fully communicated with. Read our letter to @NHSDigital here:
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Thank you to our GPs & their teams going above and beyond during the #COVID19 pandemic to deliver the best possible, safe care for patients. Together we will get through this. Here’s a preview of our COVID-special #GPFrontline cover by @MartinRowson #clapforourcarers #stayathome
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No known evidence linking long A&E waits to GP access. We've published this response to media reports in the @Telegraph and @MailOnline, linking long A&E waits to GP access. ➡️
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Congratulations to all GPs recognised in the #queensbirthdayhonours. This year includes former College Chair Dame @ClareGerada, RCGP Immunisation Lead George Kassianos CBE and @RCGPScotland Chair @careylunan, Trustee Board Chair Nigel Mathers and @drcartersingh who receive MBEs.
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Clare, you've been an outstanding and courageous leader and your service to the College and our members has been phenomenal. Throughout this time you've been a working GP, delivering exceptional patient care and fighting for all on society's margins. Thank you from all at RCGP.
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.@MartinRCGP on @BBCr4today: "It's difficult to understand what @NHSEngland were thinking sending this letter. GPs around the country have been following their guidance - it's incomprehensible at a time we're heading for a potential second peak of #COVID19".
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General practice has been open throughout the pandemic but care is being delivered differently to keep patients & staff safe & help stop the spread of Covid-19. Where face to face appointments are necessary they are being facilitated - more than 400k a day currently. @MartinRCGP.
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We're outraged at today's media coverage of remote consultations in general practice - @MartinRCGP will rebut shortly in @HSJnews.GPs work tirelessly to care for patients in difficult circumstances. This criticism is damaging to members and patients - We’ll keep fighting back.
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Congratulations to all trainees joining general practice tomorrow 💫. Welcome to #TeamGP, we hope you settle into your training scheme, your locale & the profession in the coming weeks. From tomorrow, watch out for #CelebrAiT - helping you to make the most of your GP training 🙌
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What can GPs do about loneliness? Social prescribing teams in GP surgeries can help direct patients to support services, voluntary or community groups, gym, religious groups - motivating patient to take that first step & get connected #RCGPLoneliness.
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#3beforeGP - 3 Qs patients should ask themselves before booking a GP appointment. Can I? .1: self-care .2: use @NHSChoices or similar reputable websites/resources .3: seek advice/treatment via a pharmacist @HelenRCGP.
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Many congratulations to our former Chair @ClareGerada who will be the College's next President. We look forward to working with her when she succeeds @AmandaCHoweRCGP from 20 November.
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GPs and patients are on the same side here. We share our patients' frustrations when they can't get an appointment or face long waits trying to get through to the surgery. After a decade of underinvestment, the GP workforce is not big enough to manage the patient population.
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The College has today revoked an honour given to the Sultan of Brunei. To read our full release, visit:
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"There’s a dark side, but villainising it isn’t a solution, [social media] isn’t going anywhere and as GPs we have to go where our patients are". Today we're revisiting our GP Frontline interview with @RealDoctorMike. Read in full ➡️ #GPLives
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Our Fellowship and Awards Committee met this morning and has made unanimous recommendation to withdraw ‘Companion of the College’ honour from Sultan of Brunei. Read more here:
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.@HelenRCGP’s riposte to criticism of all the part-time & portfolio GPs working to keep patients safe and the NHS afloat - published in @Telegraph today.
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Shocked & dismayed at Government’s decision to impose contract on our dedicated & committed junior doctors says @Maurrenrcgp more to follow.
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We have written to @CareQualityComm calling on them to suspend inspections of GP surgeries during the current #COVID_19uk epidemic #BackGP
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Now is the time to support general practice, not demoralise GPs: @MartinRCGP in @bmj_latest
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Vaccines are safe, effective & essential to safeguarding our health and that of our children - and we must tackle public misinformation by the anti-vaccination movement if we are to save lives, writes @HelenRCGP in @guardian on latest measles figures
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Fantastic news! In just 5 months since we launched our partnership w @parkrunUK 500 are now registered #parkrunpractices, encouraging patients, surgery staff & local communities to be more healthy. Find out more: @chrissiesmiles
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The Royal College of GPs has voted to consult with members as to what its position on the legalisation of assisted dying should be. The College’s current position, adopted by RCGP Council in 2020 following a member consultation in 2019, is to oppose a change in the law on.
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ICYMI: "Surveys we have conducted show 60% of GPs have seen their mental health deteriorate significantly in the last year" Listen to @MartinRCGP tell MPs that the wellbeing of GPs must come first in the context of future #NHS reforms @HouseofCommons
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Any GPs or practice staff working this weekend, please let @Jeremy_Hunt know. Use #ImInWorkJeremy.
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Huge thanks to all GPs and other primary care staff across the UK who worked all weekend to ensure urgent primary care was still available to patients when the NHS 111 and GP out of hours systems came under a cyber-attack. We are so grateful for your dedication and commitment.
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(1/4) Last week, @NHSEngland released their latest GP workforce data. The numbers show a service in crisis. Numbers of full-time equivalent GPs continue to decline. As of February 2023, there were 27,277 fully qualified FTE GPs, 7.1% fewer than in 2015.
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On behalf of our entire College community, we send our love and deepest sympathy to Dr Sanjoy Kumar and the O’Malley-Kumar family on the shocking and devastating loss of their daughter Grace in the Nottingham tragedy. @KamilaRCGP @ClareGerada
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We now have 1697 new GPs ready to join the workforce!! In June-July, the College reviewed the training for 1697 trainees & made recommendations to the GMC for them to receive their CCT. Great news! @HelenRCGP
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“85% of GP appointments are delivered within two weeks of being booked already, with 44% on the same day day are booked. We don’t have enough GPs, or other members of the practice team to deal with further expectations” @MartinRCGP @bbc5live.
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Pleased to see the @DailyMail have published @MartinRCGP’s letter rebuffing their recent leader column linking remote consulting to research on GP cancer referrals, despite the study being based on data from 2014/2015, six years before the pandemic
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Congratulations to our newly elected president Dr Richard Vautrey and our six new Nationally Elected Council Members. Read more about our new president and the council members here
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"I'm proud to lead a profession where more than 50% of GPs in the UK are women, and a College where all four chairs are women" @HelenRCGP's message on #IWD2018
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We've created resources and guidance to help support GPs during the #coronavirus outbreak #COVID19
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Congratulations to @MarshallProf on being named the new Chair-elect of the RCGP, and huge thanks to @HawthorneKamila and @SimonDGregory for running such dignified campaigns. Read our full release on the results here:
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Tonight the govt announced the suspension of the data-sharing agreement of patient records between #NHS & Home Office – this is a huge victory for common sense, for civil rights and for patient care! @HelenRCGP @DHSCgovuk @NHSDigital
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GP partnership model works well for patients, the NHS and the tax payer – but it needs sufficient resource and staffing . Read our response to @wesstreeting's @TheTimes interview. ➡️We hope to meet with the Shadow Secretary of State for Health soon.
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GPs, their teams & PC colleagues have worked incredibly hard under huge pressure throughout the pandemic delivering vital patient care & services alongside 75% of the vaccination programme. @bootsSebJ comments are unfair & insulting- he should set the record straight. @MartinRCGP.
Sebastian James @BootsSebJ CEO of @BootsUK . Thanking his frontline staff during pandemic ‘at a time that Primary Care had more or less disappeared’ . BBC Breakfast 4/7/21 . @BMA_GP @rcgp @cgps_gp
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"We need at least 20% more GPs in the workforce. We've been promised 6,000 more GPs - but we actually have fewer than we did in 2016. It's patients who are impacted most as they can't see their GP when they need to." @MartinRCGP @SkyNews.
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Brilliant skills of pharmacist colleagues for giving advice and treating minor conditions & ailments also often overlooked - excellent community resource that patients should utilise says @HelenRCGP @BBCBreakfast.
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Historic times at the College. The four Chairs across the UK - and the Chairs of the Associates in Training and First5 Committee - are all women! #womenpower in our latest #GPfrontline magazine
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#RCGPCouncil member: GP is now the most popular specialty in England - applications have gone up every year for last five years, and not just as a back-up. Fill rate is also up. We need to continue to address workload, indemnity, support etc in order to retain workforce.
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Many congratulations to @HawthorneKamila who has been elected as the next Chair of RCGP from November. Congratulations also to @VictoriaTzB on her election as Vice Chair for External Affairs. Read more:
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Really pleased to see new guidance from @DHSCgovuk @NHSEngland published allowing re-purposing of controlled drugs, such as morphine, for patients in care homes and hospices near or at the end of their lives during #COVID19 @MartinRCGP @DrCatherineUK.
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Thank you to all our members who contributed to the consultation. We have published the results, which include a series of recommendations, on our website.
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31% GPs in England have told us they are unlikely to be working in general practice in 5 yrs - many due to stress. Retention of experienced, hard-working GPs must be key in #NHS long-term plan. Read more @thesundaytimes @HelenRCGP #BackGP.
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.@HelenRCGP has written to @thetimes calling out @HMICFRS claims that GPs are ‘shunting’ mental health cases on to police at 5pm when surgeries ‘tend to close’ - absolutely not the case on either front
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Junior doctors are the future of our profession and we support them wholeheartedly @Maureenrcgp.
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Following careful analysis, the results of our member survey on the role of PAs in general practice will be published next week, along with an explanation of the College’s next steps.
Thank you to the over 5,000 members who responded to our member survey on the role of PAs in general practice. We're working carefully on the analysis to ensure all responses and important issues raised are properly considered and we will publish the survey results in June.
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Misjudged, demoralising & demonstrates a misunderstanding of the pressures on general practice. Read our response to @NHSEngland’s letter to GPs here: .
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The GP workforce is in dire straits. If more GPs are leaving the profession than joining it, we’re fighting a losing battle. We need to see initiatives being implemented to retain our existing workforce @HelenRCGP tells @DailyMirror
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GPs and patients are on the same side over face to face appointments – but chronic GP shortages make it hard to guarantee safe care. Read our full response to the Daily Mail's campaign on face to face appointments, from @MartinRCGP -
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Menopause is included in the GP Curriculum that all GP trainees need to demonstrate competence of in order to practise independently in the UK. GPs also undertake continued CPD across the curriculum to continue to practise.
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