Illuminating Primary Care

How a GP Surgery Became Google’s Highest Rated

In this episode of the Illuminating Primary Care podcast, David Murphy is joined by Dr. Nabeel Arshad, GP Partner at The Brooke Surgery, which is Google's highest rated in the country.
 
We discuss what changes practices can make to drastically improve patient satisfaction, and how to improve Google reviews.

The Challenges Faced by GP Trainees

Join Ciaran Fletcher and Dr. Erwin Kwun, the man who coaches GP trainees to help them succeed MRCGP SCA and beyond.
 
They discuss the challenges GP trainees can face, doctors' wellbeing in training and beyond, preparation for the SCA, and developing a portfolio career.

Are GPs Happy in Their Jobs?

Ciaran Fletcher is joined by Dr. Sally Hambly to discuss her work in coaching doctors to make career decisions which put their wellbeing at the centre.
 
We discuss the sunk cost fallacy and how it may prevent doctors leaving primary care, the pressures of taking on a new role, how imposter syndrome affects GPs, and why career diversification may be the right choice for some.

How to Improve Your Health Span

In this fascinating episode of the Illuminating Primary Care podcast, Kirsty Morris is joined by Riccardo DiCuffa, Co Founder & Chief Medical Officer of Thyme.
Riccardo explains how he believes we should approach the issue of an ageing population, with people living longer, but not necessarily healthier. He offers advice as to how people can implement lifestyle changes to ensure they live long, healthy lives.

The Emerging Role of Physician Associates within Primary Care

We speak to James Catton, an experienced Physician Associate within primary care based in Suffolk and Physician Associate ambassador working with Health Education England to discuss all aspects of the PA role, from qualifying through to working as part of a PCN and what the future looks like in general practice for PAs.
 
Timings:
00:04- Introduction
01:01- What attracted James to become a PA?
03:33- What does a day in the life of a PA look like for James?
05:04- How does James find working across multiple practices, being part of a PCN?
07:34- What advice would James give to any PAs that might become the first/only PA within the PCN or practice?
09:37- Was James heavily involved in both the acute and the long-term conditions when he initially started?
13:04- Has James taken on a kind of lead PA role at his practice? Is there a hierarchy?
14:57- What sort of appointment times was James working to when he first started, and what are they now?
18:36- Is there anything James thinks either surgeries or PCNs could do to better understand the role of a PA?
21:03- Does the imbalance of PAs doing secondary care, as opposed to primary care placements, need to be addressed?
22:41- What are James’ thoughts on PAs having prescribing rights?
27:16- As a PA, has James expressed specialist interest in any areas?

The real impact of the Investment and Impact Fund

We speak to Dr Valeed Ghafoor, GP Partner in Blackpool to discuss Primary Care Networks, The Investment and Impact Fund (IIF), It’s effects on Primary Care providers and how this can be improved on.
 
00:35- Dr Ghafoor introduction
01:30- Dr Ghafoor gives overview of Primary Care Networks.
03:45- What is the IIF and how does it come into Primary Care Networks?
08:00- How can funding be lost via the IIF?
12:25- Why can’t the IIF work in conjunction with QOF to have one system so that practices don’t miss out on funding?
15:14- What other aspects of IIF apart from coding are causing problems with funding in practices?
21:25- What happens if a practice doesn’t need some of the staff the IIF allows them to recruit, and doesn’t use the funding allocated?
22:40- If the funding didn’t get used last year, but it is needed this year- what happens?
23:50- Suggestions Dr Ghafoor has for other practices to manage and avoid issues with the IIF.
31:32- What has Dr Ghafoor done in his practice to take control of stress, burnout and still provide the best care and meet target?
33:50- How can the network help practices?
37:30- Are practices having to use their own staff to satisfy the needs of the IIF because staff provided by the network isn’t enough?
41:44- Content of next podcast.
 

The Evolution of Clinical Pharmacists in General Practice

Shilpa Patel is the lead GP Pharmacist (and partner) at WellBN Integrated Healthcare, pharmacist mentor, assessor and Inspirational speaker.
 
Jasmine Kaur discusses with Shilpa what Clinical Pharmacists can bring to a practice, what career opportunities are available for Pharmacists within primary care, and the story behind becoming a GP Partner.

Holistic Treatments: Lifestyle and Mind-Body Medicine

In this fascinating episode of the Illuminating Primary Care podcast, Ciaran Fletcher is joined by Dr. Anna Smith, an NHS and Holistic GP.
 
Dr. Anna Smith explains what she does as a Certified Lifestyle Physician, as well as her work as a Mind-Body Practitioner. She provides tips and advice for preventing various chronic illnesses through lifestyle changes, as well as explaining the links between our bodies and minds.
 

Taking Care of Your Mental Health - Top 10 Tips to Prevent Burnout

In this episode of the Illuminating Primary Care podcast, Alexa Makaafi is joined by GP Dr Karen Forshaw, and Chartered Physiotherapist and Psychotherapist Chrissie Mowbray. They formed 'Resilient Practice' to teach evidence-based tools and techniques for maintaining wellbeing and resilience to all.
 
Karen and Chrissie discuss with Alexa the issues of stress and burnout for healthcare workers, and offer their top 10 tips for how to prevent burnout and stay resilient.

The Transition from the Ambulance Service to Primary Care

Jasmine Kaur is joined by Paramedic Practitioner Charlotte Humfrey. Charlotte is a team lead for the West London network at the Location Medical Services, and she is building up her own team of paramedics whilst working at the Acute Illness and Urgent Treatment Centre.
 
Charlotte discusses the transition from secondary to primary care, offering first-hand experience and insight from the perspective of a paramedic. She explains why practices may have a misunderstanding of what the role of a paramedic can be, and what she believes the future will hold for paramedics in primary care.
 
Everything we cover in the podcast
1:30 – Why transition from secondary to primary care
4:09 – Transitioning to primary care
6:20 – Benefits of transitioning to primary care
9:13 – Tips for paramedics transitioning to primary care
15:15 – Why practices are struggling to recruit paramedics
19:07 – Misunderstandings about what a paramedic can do
23:26 – The future for paramedics in primary care