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

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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

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This week Emma speaks to the RCGP’s registrar co-chairs, Dr Tom France and Dr Molly Dineen about the issues currently facing GP registrars across the UK.

Tom and Molly talk about the ongoing GP jobs crisis and the intense frustration surrounding underemployment and unemployment at the end of training.

They explain their concerns about the GP jobs available under the additional roles reimbursement scheme and stress the importance of a fully funded, detailed workforce plan from the government to address the mismatch between rising training numbers and available jobs.

Tom and Molly also outline their key priorities for the year ahead, including the need for greater consistency in training and the urgent requirement for better visa sponsorship support for international medical graduates.

And they discuss how GP training might need to change and what they would like to see from policymakers to ensure that general practice remains an attractive and viable career for the next generation of doctors.

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

Useful links

● RCGP registrar committee

● GP training resources on GPonline

● Why a 'heartbroken' new GP gave up his dream career in UK general practice - Former RCGP registrar co-chair speaks to GPonline

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This week Emma, Nick and Kimberley talk about the government’s plans for neighbourhoods - after the long-awaited neighbourhood health framework was published this week - and what it all means for general practice.

They also look in more detail at how GP contract changes to advice and guidance link into this and whether these changes could impede GPs’ right to refer, what they could mean for workload in general practice and concerns about patient safety.

And they discuss the results of our annual GP locum rates survey and what it tells us about rates of pay for locum GPs and how the jobs crisis has impacted on locums.

Our good news story this week is about a new ADHD service set up by the GP federation in Leeds which is helping to cut waiting times for assessment and treatment.

This episode was presented by GPonline editor Emma Bower, deputy editor Nick Bostock and senior reporter Kimberley Hackett. It was produced by Czarina Deen.

Useful links

Government reveals how neighbourhood model will fit with GP contract

Neighbourhood plans ramp up focus on GP access and advice and guidance

Minister outlines timetable for 'new Carr-Hill formula'

Mandatory advice and guidance adds to patient safety risks, warns LMC

GP locum rates fall in England but rise in rest of UK

Locum GP earnings hit as most struggle to find enough work

Uncoordinated NHS reforms causing 'widespread disruption'

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This week Emma speaks to the co-chairs of the BMA sessional GP committee Dr Amy Small and Dr Kim Rollinson about the jobs crisis and how they hope to better represent sessional GPs.

In this conversation they discuss how the shortage of jobs is affecting locum and salaried GPs across the country and what needs to be done to address this issue.

They explain what salaried GPs should look out for when signing contracts, and what GP partners can do to be good employers and ensure their staff and locum GPs feel valued. They also talk about the push towards a neighbourhood NHS and what that could mean for sessional GPs, as well as how the rise in portfolio working is helping many doctors manage the intense pressures associated with being a GP.

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

Useful links

BMA sessional GP committee website

GPs in Scotland end dispute as £531m funding deal agreed

Raid on PCN cash to fund practice-level recruitment as ARRS rules changed

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BMA England GP committee chair Dr Katie Bramall speaks to Emma about the 2026/27 GP contract and the BMA’s referendum on the deal, which launched this week.

Katie explains why she thinks the 2026/27 contract is a bad deal for general practice and some of the problems around same-day access, advice and guidance and practice funding.

She talks about what happens if GPs reject the deal in the referendum, which may mean the profession begins taking action from as early as 1 April. Katie raises the prospect of a ballot on more serious action that could put practices in breach of their contract later in the summer if there is no movement from the government on the contract.

She also talks about the government’s plans for a neighbourhood NHS and how this will affect general practice and explains new BMA guidance on what practices and GPs should be doing now.

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

Useful links

BMA briefing paper on neighbourhoods

What's in the GP contract for 2026/27?

GP referral change revealed as NHS plays down same-day access impact

Viewpoint: Why mandatory advice and guidance risks a patient safety fiasco

Why the 2026/27 contract risks increased financial pressure for practices

MIMS Learning Live Digital 2026

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Nick and Emma explain how the GP contract for 2026/27 in England is set to change, how it will impact on practices and what it means for the current dispute between the BMA and the government.

In this episode they talk about what the contract changes mean for practice and PCN finances, and whether the funding increase will make a difference, or boost jobs available for GPs.

They also look at a new requirement for same day access for urgent patients, plus changes to the QOF, additional roles reimbursement scheme and how practices are paid for advice and guidance.

And they talk about the reaction to the deal and what happens next in the ongoing dispute with the government.

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

Useful links

What's in the GP contract for 2026/27? - full details of all the changes

Contract uplift leaves practices 'treading water' and risks cashflow crisis

GP contract funding to rise by £485m in 2026/27

Raid on PCN cash to fund practice-level recruitment as ARRS rules changed

New targets on same-day access and obesity in 2026/27 GP contract

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