GP opinion and analysis

Our in-depth news reports and viewpoints from guest writers and regular contributors provide insight on the issues that matter to general practice.

Analysis, interviews & opinion

The word contract under a magnifying glass

What is changing in the GP contract for 2023/24?

GPonline outlines what's set to change under the GP contract in 2023/24.

BMA GP trainee committee chair Dr David Smith

Why GP trainees will join junior doctor strikes in their thousands

Fifteen years of real-terms pay cuts for junior doctors have triggered a retention...

RCGP chair Professor Kamila Hawthorne

Professor Kamila Hawthorne: General practice is at breaking point – the government must act

General practice is experiencing a severe workforce crisis and the government must...

Dr Paul McNamara

Viewpoint: The cost-of-living crisis is having a devastating impact on health

Dr Paul McNamara, a GP in Port Glasgow, Scotland, describes how the cost-of-living...

Dr Tom Milligan, GP and clinical lead for diabetes in Humber and North Yorkshire

How we are using technology to improve diabetes care in our area

Dr Tom Milligan explains how Humber and North Yorkshire integrated care board (ICB)...

Debbie Boughtflower

How career coaching can transform the lives of veterans

GPs across England and Wales can refer patients who used to work in the armed forces...

COPD

How the five fundamentals of COPD care can help GPs support patients

GP Dr Andrew Whittamore, clinical lead at Asthma + Lung UK, explains NICE’s five...

GP and menopause specialist Dr Katie Barber

Viewpoint: How choice and personalisation of care will bring about the menopause revolution

GP and menopause specialist Dr Katie Barber explains how the key findings from a...

Amoxicillin antibiotic drug capsules

Viewpoint: How can we reduce antibiotic prescribing?

Dr Anita Sharma, who has been involved with several antibiotic prescribing initiatives...

graphs

How practice-level appointments data threatens unfair pressure on GPs

NHS Digital will publish practice-level GP appointments data this week for the first...

Professor Simon Gregory

Viewpoint: More training capacity in underdoctored areas vital to boost GP trainee numbers

Record numbers of doctors are entering GP training at a challenging time for the...

New RCGP chair Professor Kamila Hawthorne

Interview: New RCGP chair Kamila Hawthorne on tackling the GP workforce crisis

Addressing the GP workload and workforce crisis must be a top priority, the new RCGP...

Brigadier (retired) Dr Robin Simpson, RCGP veterans champion

How GPs can support veterans this Remembrance Day

Military veterans are a diverse group with higher rates of long-term illness and...

Dr Gail Milligan

My GP wife worked herself to death – something needs to change

Chris Milligan’s wife Dr Gail Milligan took her own life earlier this year. He speaks...

Dr Ollie Hart and Dr Devina Maru

How shared decision making can help GPs better meet patients' needs

Dr Ollie Hart and Dr Devina Maru are at opposite phases of their career – Dr Hart...

Dr Devina Maru and Dr Liam Loftus

What does a positive future for general practice look like – a view from the next generation

Dr Devina Maru and Dr Liam Loftus explain a groundbreaking consultation exercise...

Therese Coffey

Who is new health and social care secretary Therese Coffey?

Therese Coffey has become the third health and social care secretary this year after...

Downing St sign

From pay to recruitment: what GPs want from the next health and social care secretary

Newly appointed Conservative leader Liz Truss is expected to fill key cabinet positions...

Liz Truss

What does a Liz Truss premiership mean for general practice?

Liz Truss will replace the outgoing Boris Johnson as UK prime minister - what does...

satisfaction scale

Which parts of England have the highest and lowest GP patient satisfaction?

Patient satisfaction with GP services varies widely between PCN and ICS areas across...

Dr Lucy McKay, CEO Medics4RareDiseases

Viewpoint: GPs can support patients with rare diseases without being expert in their condition

Around 1 in 17 people in the UK are affected by a rare disease. Dr Lucy McKay explains...

Arm band for BMA strike official

What forms of industrial action could GPs take?

Historically GPs have been wary of strike action because of their independent contractor...

Dr Caroline Fryar, MDU director of medical services

Viewpoint: New Good Medical Practice guidance has to reflect reality for GPs

The GMC is consulting on changes to Good Medical Practice, which will likely set...

A female manager listening in a meeting

New accreditation programme for practice managers

The Institute of General Practice Management (IGPM) has launched a new accreditation...