The General Practice Podcast Ben Gowland

Join Ben as he explores the evolving role of pharmacists in general practice, with special guests Ruhina Kassam & Mahmud Mamayusupov from Clinical Pharmacist Solutions. They share insights on the push for pharmacists to become prescribers, emphasising the importance of this shift to meet increasing healthcare demands. Ruhina & Mahmud introduce the DPP Finder service, designed to connect pharmacists with designated prescribing practitioners, facilitating the required practice hours for their prescribing qualification.
They also discuss the balance between community pharmacy and PCN pharmacists, improvements in workforce distribution, and the Pharmacy First scheme. Don't miss this insightful discussion that highlights the significant developments and opportunities in the pharmacy profession.
Introduction (00:09)
Updates from Clinical Pharmacist Solutions.. (00:29) 
Becoming advanced practitioners.. (01:16) 
Do pharmacists want to become prescribing pharmacists? (03:15) 
The scheme.. (04:13)
Pharmacists in their own practice (06:34)
Mentorship.. (07:08) 
90 hours.. (08:56)
Is the scheme funded? (09:40)
Limits to the prescribing qualification.. (11:33)
Additional qualifications (13:09)
Specialist vs general approach (13:40)
Thoughts on the way that pharmacists are being used in general practice and by PCNs? (14:07)
Quality of supervision offered via PCNs.. (15:58)
Turnover of pharmacists.. (16:57)
Impact on community pharmacy.. (20:32) 
Pharmacy First (21:16) 
Getting in touch.. (23:01)
Visit the DPP Connect website here.
For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

Join us as we welcome Judy Oliver and Charlotte Cummings from Oliver and Company to discuss the fascinating journey and evolution of integrated neighbourhood teams. Judy and Charlotte share invaluable insights on customising the program to bring together community services, social care, general practice, mental health, and the voluntary sector, emphasising the critical importance of strong inter-professional relationships to deliver seamless, patient-centred care. 
Finally,  Judy and Charlotte shed light on the role of expert facilitation and coaching in enhancing team dynamics and outcomes, emphasising the importance of continuous improvement in fostering successful integrated teams in general practice. Don't miss this insightful conversation on creating cohesive, cross-organisational healthcare teams that truly make a difference.
Introduction (00:09) 
Integrated neighbourhood team (02:56)
The core design of integrated neighbourhood teams (05:01) 
What should they look like? (07:05)
PCNs & GP practises role.. (12:13) 
Moving ahead (15:03) 
Is a mindset shift needed? (18:59) 
The next few years.. (22:16) 
Getting in touch (23:33)
Visit the website for ‘Oliver and Company’ 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 Adrian Down, the managing partner at Caythorpe & Ancaster Medical Practice. Adrian shares his fascinating journey from a high-paying role in a multinational firm to becoming a practice manager in general practice. He reflects on his transition and discusses the dynamics of equality within his practice partnership.
Adrian and Ben explore the challenges faced by non-GP professionals in general practice partnerships and shed light on the value of the partnership model in maintaining the effectiveness and accessibility of general practice. Discover how Adrian's passion for helping people has sustained him in this role and how his partnership model has remained effective over time.
Introduction (00:08) 
An equal voice.. (01:47)
Has being a practice manager matched your expectations? (02:35) 
Then and now (03:16) 
Has the model evolved over time? (04:42)
Status inequality between non-gp partners and gp partners (05:54)
Guidance for non-gp partners (07:29)
National LMC conference (08:58) 
Feedback & next steps.. (12:51) 
Working with the IGPM (14:40)
Information or resources (16:05) 
Contact Adrian via email here.
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.
 

Join us this week as Ben welcomes Dr. Steph Cook and Dr. Jennifer Greenlaw to discuss the groundbreaking concept of women's health hubs. Steph and Jennifer are both experienced GPs with a focus on women's health, and share their innovative work in Liverpool and Manchester. Discover how these hubs bring together existing services to provide comprehensive care, reducing the need for multiple appointments and learn about the impact of the Women's Health Strategy.
They also explore the success and feedback from women accessing contraceptive services, highlighting the popularity of convenient options like Saturday clinics. Understand the logistics of providing these services, including self-referral processes, short wait times, and the flexibility of primary care networks. Tune in to hear how the Women's Health Strategy is bringing renewed focus to these essential services and improving access, experience, and outcomes for women, especially those in underserved populations.
Introduction (00:09) 
Women's Health Hubs (01:30)
Single locations? (03:27) 
Women's Health Strategy (04:28) 
Funding.. (05:31) 
General practice & PCNs.. (06:25)
Making that shift for Women’s health (08:49)
Feedback from women.. (11:05) 
Payments for services.. (12:03)
Support from the ICB’s (17:41)
Top tips.. (21:04)
Accessing the toolkit (21:50)
Getting in touch.. (22:55) 
Access ‘The Women’s Health Hub Toolkit’ here.
Contact Steph by email here & Jennifer here.
Listen to a previous episode introducing ‘Urban Village Medical Practice’ here and learn their Innovative Strategies to Support Homelessness here.
For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.

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.