The General Practice Podcast Ben Gowland

Join us as we explore the advancements in general practice data and analytics, as Ben sits down with Dr Nigel Fraser, Dr Mike Hearne, and Conor Price. They share their invaluable insights on the early initiatives of data sharing using EMIS and the importance of establishing trust among practices. Together, they unravel the complexities of standardising data to enhance collaborative healthcare and reflect on the journey from the initial phases to the sophisticated state of data utilisation today.
Listen in as they tackle the significant strides made in healthcare data management and the importance of standardised coding templates, the trust required in data sharing, and the role of mobile healthcare in addressing critical issues. They also discuss the creation of robust data management teams and the strategic deployment of data to advocate for primary care investments, all while recognising the undeniable power of data in steering healthcare improvements and fortifying practice support within the larger system..
Introduction (00:08)
Primary Care Analytics (01:57)
Comparing apples with apples (04:02) 
LMC’s perspective.. (05:07) 
The pro’s of providing the data.. (05:54)
The developments & benefits.. (07:06)
Using the data right (11:34) 
Producing information.. (14:23) 
Data analyst & beyond.. (16:55)
What does the data look like now? (18:36)
How does the data help? (21:28) 
How to get in touch (23:02)
Contact Conor Price via email here & visit the Primary Care Analytics website here.
For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

With general practice at a crossroads, Practice Index podcast regulars Robyn Clark and Claire Houston join Ben to assess the financial hurdles presented within the latest GP contract. The 2% funding increase is a drop in the ocean against towering inflation and the uptick in the national living wage could well see a situation whereby practices are unable to hire or replace departing staff, calling into question, once again, the issue of sustainability.
We consider newer directives linked to capacity and access such as telephony, online consultations, and care navigation systems and probe the effectiveness of the Integrated Care Board payments - and the Quality and Outcomes Framework - questioning their impact on an already stretched thin resource pool.
Don't miss this episode for a frank and insightful examination of the state of general practice right now, with our expert practice management panel guiding the conversation.
Introduction (00.:09)
Welcoming the panel (00:39)
Funding implications (00:52)
An unrealistic uplift against the economic reality (02:12)
Impact on practices (03:06)
Government response and continuing uncertainty (03:48)
Complications with budget-setting (05:38)
Advice from Clare when planning ahead (06:49)
Debating the QOF changes (07:53)
Changes related to vaccs and imms (09:46)
Scrapping the IIF in favour of capacity and access (10:32)
Achieving the 30% (12:33)
National extraction of demand data (14:25)
A new “registration solution” (17:03)
Merging the PCN DES spec and ARRS (17:55)
The future of general practice taskforce (20:48)
GP referendum (21:55)
Final thoughts (23:47)
The importance of standing together (24:40)
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.

Listen in as we welcome back experts James Gransby from RSM UK and Robert McCartney from Hempsons for an insightful analysis of the upcoming 24/25 GP contract changes and the associated financial pressures. They tackle the stark realities practices are facing, including the modest wage increases and low inflation rate adjustments set against a backdrop of historical underfunding. They examine potential cost savings, opportunities for service expansion, and the balance between growth and maintaining a strong practice culture. Join us to also highlight the success of organic mergers and the concept of 'soft mergers' as a means to foster collaboration while preserving individual practice identity.
Introduction (00:09) 
Reactions to the 24/25 contract.. (00:33)
Percentages used.. (01:42)
What’s new? (03:31) 
Continuity of care (04:37)
Financial pressure on individual practices (05:35) 
Section 96 (06:24)
Point of no return.. (07:01)
Funding during COVID.. (07:40) 
Do practices need to merge? (08:54)
Economies of scale.. (14:15) 
The need for a plan.. (15:10)  
When does it become too big? (16:40)
Thinking about a merger? (19:01) 
Merging organically.. (21:05) 
Soft merging (23:12)
Getting in touch.. (23:52) 
Contact Robert via email here & James via email here. 
For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

Ben welcomes back podcast favourite, Sheinaz Stansfield, Quality Improvement Lead for Oxford Terrace and Rawling Road Medical Group. Sheinaz joins Ben to share her pioneering methods for workforce redesign in General Practice, which include a thorough examination of patient demand and the utilisation of tools to distinguish between activity and demand. Their discussion also looks into how to integrate new roles into healthcare teams, highlights the benefits of mentorship for unique roles, and the significant impact this can have on enhancing patient experiences and alleviating the pressure on clinicians. Join us and learn from Sheinaz’s tales of transformation, where a focus on demand and capacity has the power to revolutionise primary care..
Introduction (00:09) 
Workforce redesign (00:39) 
Measuring demand (01:56)
Findings & surprises.. (02:36)
Is demand greater than capacity? (04:04) 
Increasing capacity.. (05:28) 
Changing your workforce.. (07:58)
Identifying additional roles your Practice needs.. (09:19)
Workforce redesign principles.. (10:16) 
Additional roles becoming part of the PCN.. (12:27)
Do you have a divide? (15:20) 
Impacts on the GPs.. (16:15) 
Key takeaways for listeners.. (17:05)
Advice.. (19:06) 
Previous examples.. (20:56) 
Making the most of an individual's skills.. (22:14) 
Resources.. (23:06)
Listen to Ben & Sheinaz’s previous podcast episodes below:
Sheinaz Stansfield – social prescribing
Sheinaz Stansfield – Releasing time for care in Gateshead
Sheinaz Stansfield – The role of the frailty nurse in general practice
Sheinaz Stansfield – Better Health
For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

Unlock the secrets to compassionate healthcare as we join forces with Kay Keane, Shaun Jackson and Katherine Scott from Urban Village Medical Practice, to discuss primary care's pivotal role in supporting the homeless community. Together, they navigate the complex definition of homelessness, the responsibilities of local authorities, and how healthcare providers can assist individuals in this challenging system. This discussion is just the beginning of a series aimed at guiding practices in providing care to those experiencing homelessness. Discover the importance of using the practice's address for correspondence and learn how to maintain continuity of care for this population. This episode is designed to raise awareness and equip healthcare providers with the tools needed to offer empathetic and effective support to patients experiencing homelessness, a testament to the compassion and innovation that earned Urban Village Medical Practice its esteemed award.
Introduction (00:08)
What can we do to help people who are experiencing homelessness (00:52)
The plan.. (01:49)
Katherine's role.. (02:36)
What is homelessness? (03:32)
Why is it such an important issue for Primary Care? (04:53) 
Support on offer.. (06:36)
Recognise the population (07:52)
Other organisations.. (10:22) 
Noticing a difference.. (11:15) 
What can practices do? (12:30) 
Have the conversation with patients.. (15:55) 
Getting it right.. (17:47)
Additional roles (19:26) 
Homeless patients interacting with health services.. (20:48)
Supporting the patients.. (24:08)
Getting in touch.. (26:52)
 Urban Village Medical Practice website & to find out more contact Kay Keane here. 
Listen to the previous episode from Urban Village here. 
For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

In this week’s episode, brought to you in partnership with Practice Index, Kay Keane and Claire Houston join Ben for a candid discussion on the financial challenges practices are facing. At the heart of their discussion lies the tension between the escalating costs of running a practice, including the forthcoming minimum wage hike, and the proposed 1.9% budget increase. Kay, Claire and Ben reflect on the squeeze this puts on profits and how it's driving a potential shift in the structure of General Practice. They look into the hard choices that lie ahead, and consider the implications of relying on additional roles over traditional GP-led models. They discuss what practices can do in face of such a financially challenging environment, and offer practical tips for those who are struggling. Tune in to hear more about the creative strategies practices are employing to navigate funding challenges and how this might shape the future of General Practice.
Introduction (00:09)
Practice finances (00:50)
Claire’s thoughts.. (01:58) 
The 1.9% offer (03:54)
Claire & Kay’s thoughts regarding the offer? (04:38) 
How are Practices make ends meet? (07:13) 
What kind of uplift in income is possible for Practices? (09:46) 
PCN income.. (12:32) 
The challenges.. (14:22)
Working together.. (16:08) 
Additional roles.. (16:51) 
Making savings by increasing size.. (22:52) 
Resources & information.. (25:08) 
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.