The General Practice Podcast Ben Gowland

Robert McCartney, an associate at Hemsons, is back again, as they explore his recent work on PCNs and integrated neighbourhood teams. Robert shares his insights into the complexities of creating legal constructs for these collaborations, emphasising the importance of contractual agreements with community services and third parties like pharmacies and charities. 
Ben & Robert also touch on the broader landscape of how PCNs are evolving and the impact this has on healthcare delivery and collaboration.
In this episode, they focus on the recent updates to the premises cost directions, which govern funding and access to funds for GP premises. These changes include the potential for 100% improvement grants and funding for land purchases, offering some relief to practices facing financial pressures due to increased demand and the influx of PCN staff. They look at the implications of these updates, such as the expanded ability for commissioners to use a broader range of valuers, the impact on VAT negotiations, and practical steps practices should take to navigate these new directions effectively.
Introduction (00:09) 
Finding ways of developing new services together (00:37)
Contractual agreement.. (01:11)
The premises cost directions (01:48) 
Why now? (02:53)
What are the main changes in the new updates? (03:53)
Carrying out necessary extensions.. (05:53) 
What’s the catch? (06:48)
18 year commitment (08:06) 
Last man standing (09:14)
But the money isn’t there.. (09:46)
How to get better access to the funds.. (11:25)
Other changes.. (12:06) 
Further guidance.. (13:17)
Freedom for practices.. (13:54)
PCNs.. (15:27)
VAT implications.. (16:19) 
Next steps.. (17:18)
Is this positive? (18:29)
Getting in touch.. (19:37)
Contact Robert via email here. 
For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

Join us in this enlightening episode as we reconnect with Dr. Donal Collins, to explore innovative approaches to managing type 2 diabetes. Through shared decision-making, whether it’s dietary changes or new medications, we discuss how managing insulin and energy intake can shrink fat cells and reduce inflammation.
Donal & Ben explore the strategic decision-making required at various levels—individual practices, PCNs, and integrated care boards, to implement these changes effectively. This conversation touches on the challenges of demonstrating long-term cost benefits of proactive care., so tune in for a comprehensive discussion on the future of managing chronic diseases.
Introduction (00:09)
Treatment for type 2 diabetes (01:32) 
Impact of current treatment.. (05:26)
Why is it something we've never been able to achieve? (09:04)
Making the effort.. (10:39) 
Where is the right place for these conversations? (12:29) 
Introduction of new roles (13:32) 
Where do you think this best sits?(15:29) 
The science of change.. (18:21)
Getting in touch.. (20:57) 
Listen to Donal & Bens previous episode here.
Contact Donal Collins via email here, via twitter here or access his linkedin here.
For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr Christian Hornung, who wears many hats in the realm of primary care. Listen in as we explore a strategic energy savings initiative that began within a PCN and blossomed into a national success story. With the help of an energy consultant, healthcare practices, pharmacies, charities, and private hospitals have achieved significant financial savings. 
Christian shares the straightforward process that maximises benefits for all members. This episode also provides practical steps for practices to join the energy-saving initiative and highlights the potential for immediate and future savings, bringing a ray of optimism during challenging times. 
Don't miss out on this transformative discussion that promises to inspire and energise your practice.
Introduction (00:08) 
Energy.. (00:43)
Building links between the practice & pharmacy.. (05:06)
Energy Co-op Limited (06:11) 
Negotiating discount.. (07:28)
Paying the Energy Consultant.. (08:53)
Annual savings..  (09:23)
The start… (10:03)
Scaling up.. (10:36)
Creating a business.. (11:01)
How has it grown.. (12:05)
Are you open? (12:21)
Signing up (12:39) 
Developing in the future.. (13:45)
NHS England.. (14:29)
Lower individual bill costs.. (14:57)
Growing the business.. (15:26)
What’s the catch? (16:33)
Getting in touch.. (17:00)
Visit the ‘Energy Cooperative’ website here. 
For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

Join Ben this week, as we celebrate the 400th episode of the General Practice Podcast, by tackling the intricate landscape of the 2024-2025 period for general practices. In this solo episode, Ben discusses the challenges brought on by the continuation of the five-year GP contract with added cuts, addressing issues such as below-inflation pay growth and heightened cost pressures. 
Listen in as Ben examines the dynamics between PCNs and their member practices, offering insights into navigating financial pressures while maintaining independence. Discover three potential paths practices can take: maintaining strict boundaries, merging to become as large as the PCN, or adopting a hybrid model. 
This episode emphasises the importance of trust and transparency, so stay tuned for a discussion on how collective efforts can help navigate the anticipated challenges of the upcoming year in general practice.
Celebrating 400 episodes (00:09) 
Navigating 2024-2025 (01:09)
Contract changes.. (02:30)
PCN DES (03:31)
The end of PCNs? (04:01)
Referendum on the contract.. (04:59)
Mass Resignations (05:40)
PCN core functions (06:36)
Relationship between PCNs & practices (08:19)
The 3 choices.. (09:29)
The hybrid model.. (11:19)
How can we work together (16:58)
Financial pressures (17:52)
Supporting each other.. (18:07)
For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

Join us for a fascinating exploration with Agnes Kasprowicz from the City and Hackney Office of PCNs. We look at the journey of City & Hackney Office of PCNs, as they provide support to eight PCNs, acting as a unified voice for the networks and championing their development and impact in their local communities. Discover how these networks have evolved to tackle the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic by centralising operations and setting up a dedicated company. We delve into the pivotal merger that formed the City and Hackney Office of PCN’s and we look at its role in ensuring a unified primary care voice within the changing Integrated Care System landscape. 
Introduction (00:09) 
The Office of Primary Care Networks (00:23)
The start of the office.. (02:48)
Funding.. (03:32) 
Delivering vaccination services (04:20)
Representing practices (06:25) 
What services does the office of PCNs offer? (06:48)
Work streams.. (07:10)
Coming together (09:22)
Working together.. (10:08) 
What are the work streams? (11:28)
Plans for the future.. (14:50) 
Lessons learnt.. (16:26)
Find out more.. (18:32) 
Get in touch with Agnes via email 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, we welcome back the insightful Robyn Clark and Kay Keane, who share their pioneering experiences with the ‘Right Care, First Time’ campaign. 
This episode brings to light the complex skills required of modern patient services teams, the critical need for recognition and appropriate compensation for their work, and how their evolution is instrumental in guiding patients to the right care. Join us for this enlightening conversation that's bound to reshape your perspective on the ever-changing landscape of general practice.
Right Care, First Time (00:09) 
The thinking behind the campaign.. (01:13) 
Modern General Practice (02:35) 
Who is the campaign targeted at? (03:44)
Getting the message across.. (04:30) 
Acceptance of new roles.. (05:49)
Funding.. (09:07) 
Targeting specific needs.. (09:49) 
A more flexible pot? (12:54) 
Trust within PCN’s (15:00) 
NHS England Care Navigation Training.. (17:13) 
Building the confidence of the public.. (19:29) 
Feedback following the video.. (21:45) 
Where can I access the video? (22:02) 
What does industrial action look like for General Practice? (22:56) 
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.