This week Nick and Emma discuss GP retention and look at the reasons why experienced doctors are leaving the role and what the NHS needs to do to ensure more GPs remain in the job for longer.

They talk about how the expanded use of online consultations has impacted on GP workload and fears about what this year’s GP contract – which introduces new same-day access targets and changes to GP referrals – and the push towards neighbourhoods could mean for practice workload.

And they discuss the latest on this year’s GP contract, including what we know about the practice-level reimbursement scheme for GPs and possible collective action by GPs.

This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen.

Useful links

Advice and guidance 'ping-pong' fuelling the GP retention crisis

Viewpoint: Why experienced GPs are leaving the NHS and how we can keep them

GP workforce at 10-year high, government claims

GPs working 20 hours a day to clear avalanche of online requests

Steep rise in online consultations over past year, latest data show

Preparations underway for return to GP collective action

Practice-level GP reimbursement scheme will not begin until May

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Emma talks to Dr Liz Dapré, an academic GP and co-chair of the group GPs Championing Perinatal Care (GPCPC) about the vital role of primary care in maternal and perinatal health.

In this conversation Liz and Emma discuss the key problems in perinatal care across the NHS and what needs to happen to address some of these issues.

Liz explains how GPCPC is working to ensure the voice of general practice is heard by national policymakers and what it does to support GPs.

She also talks about health inequalities in maternal health, the role GPs can play in tackling these and provides practical advice on delivering high-quality 6-to-8-week postnatal checks – explaining why these should be seen as a holistic review of a woman’s transition to parenthood rather than just a series of clinical boxes to tick.

And they talk about how GPs can better identify and support women following birth trauma, as well as managing gestational diabetes and the ongoing risks for women affected by this.

This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower. It was produced by Czarina Deen.

Useful links

● Women with gestational diabetes should be referred to the Diabetes Prevention Programme

● GPs Championing Perinatal Care

● NHS England 6- to 8-week postnatal check guidance

● Improving maternal postnatal check uptake in general practice using an opt-out equitable model of access: results of a 12- month quality improvement project, by Dr Dhiviya Tharan

● City Birth Trauma Scale questionnaire

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma and Nick discuss the results of the BMA referendum on the GP contract and what happens next, including whether GPs will take action and what health and social care secretary Wes Streeting has said about this.

They talk about this year’s GP contract deal after the DDRB recommended a 3.5% pay increase for GPs and practice staff and updated contract guidance for PCNs was published - highlighting some of the key challenges facing practices as the new financial year begins.

Our good news story this week is about the annual British Social Attitudes survey, which showed satisfaction with general practice has risen to its highest point since 2021.

This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower and deputy editor Nick Bostock. It was produced by Czarina Deen.

Useful links

GPs vote overwhelmingly to reject 2026/27 contract

GPs could start collective action in April if contract talks fail

GP pay rise 'could fall short' amid rising inflation

Government reveals details of 2026/27 GP contract funding

GPs already hired with PCN cash can move to new practice-level scheme

Lack of detail on new GP reimbursement scheme ‘completely unacceptable’

Public satisfaction with general practice highest since 2021

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.