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News and Updates

On the menu this morning:

Staff talking about spring statement and inflation

Spring statement and deprived communities

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/23/spring-statement-2022-key-points-rishi-sunak-budget

Less growth 3.8%, was predicted 6%

Inflation 7.4%

1.25% NI rise stays

Less borrowing - some dry powder

Cut fuel duty by 5p/l

NI Threshold increased to £12,570 - lifting proportion of income out of NI deductions, so tax cut for some

Cutting income tax in 2024

No new Money for General Practice

GP contract changes 2022-23

https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/contracts/gp-contract/gp-contract-changes-england-202223

Global sum 3%

QOF 3.2%

PCN ARRS uplifted, IIF uplifted

Anticipated 2.1% pay uplift

Squeeze like 2008 and austerity era

First PCNs hire GPs in ‘portfolio’ roles to work across networks

https://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 Hunt

https://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 agenda
• Saying much more sensible things when out of favour and chair of health select committee

GPs can’t access Covid tests as Government asks public not to order them

https://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