General practice and the spring statement, rebuilding Jeremy Hunt, covid tests and more in primary care

Contact us and share your opinionNews and UpdatesOn the menu this morning:Staff talking about spring statement and inflationSpring statement and deprived communitieshttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/23/spring-statement-2022-key-points-rishi-sunak-budgetLess growth 3.8%, was predicted 6%Inflation 7.4%1.25% NI rise staysLess borrowing - some dry powderCut fuel duty by 5p/lNI Threshold increased to £12,570 - lifting proportion of income out of NI deductions, so tax cut for someCutting income tax in 2024No new Money for General PracticeGP contract changes 2022-23https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/contracts/gp-contract/gp-contract-changes-england-202223Global sum 3%QOF 3.2%PCN ARRS uplifted, IIF upliftedAnticipated 2.1% pay upliftSqueeze like 2008 and austerity eraFirst PCNs hire GPs in ‘portfolio’ roles to work across networkshttps://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/pulse-pcn/first-pcns-hire-gps-in-portfolio-roles-to-work-across-networks/‘Uberisation’ of general practice is harming continuity of care, warns Jeremy Hunthttps://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/politics/uberisation-of-general-practice-is-harming-continuity-of-care-warns-jeremy-hunt/Moving away from continuity a big mistake‘I’m afraid we’re moving towards the Uberisation of general practice where you see a different GP every time you contact the NHS, just like you see a different Uber driver. That cannot be a good thing for safety and care.’‘I personally think it’s a big mistake to move away from continuity of care.’Should have done more on the named GP agendaSaying much more sensible things when out of favour and chair of health select committeeGPs can’t access Covid tests as Government asks public not to order themhttps://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/breaking-news/gps-cant-access-covid-tests-as-government-asks-public-not-to-order-them/The Government told the public that free LFTs would be available until the end of this month, but the ordering website now says that ‘most tests are now needed for people at higher risk’, adding that ‘some people still need tests to stay safe, like NHS staff’.NHS England last month said continued staff Covid testing beyond 1 April was ‘under review’ and that it would write ‘in the coming weeks’ with detail on testing protocols for staff and patients.However, no such advice has been forthcoming and GP practices remain in the dark about whether they should continue twice-weekly asymptomatic testing from 1 April – and if so, whether doctors and staff will have to Join Dr Mike as he shares how to get started and fly using EMIS to make your life easier with this clinical systembit.ly/EMIScourse