Ben Gowland Podcasts

In another episode documenting general practice preparations for integrated care, we welcome back Dr Jon Griffiths, GP Advisor for Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership, NHS North West Leadership Academy board member, RCGP Mersey Faculty Board deputy council rep and Cheshire LMC member. As part of his GP Advisor role, Jon has worked w…

In another episode documenting general practice preparations for integrated care, we welcome back Dr Jon Griffiths, GP Advisor for Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership, NHS North West Leadership Academy board member, RCGP Mersey Faculty Board deputy council rep and Cheshire LMC member. As part of his GP Advisor role, Jon has worked w…

As ever, here at Ockham, we are fortunate to have been able to have taken some time out from business as usual to put our feet up and properly digest, review, and summarise the recent Fuller report publication on integrated Primary Care (and what this might look like in the context of the wider Integrated Care world). As with everything, our conclu…

As ever, here at Ockham, we are fortunate to have been able to have taken some time out from business as usual to put our feet up and properly digest, review, and summarise the recent Fuller report publication on integrated Primary Care (and what this might look like in the context of the wider Integrated Care world). As with everything, our conclu…

We are in full countdown to ICS mode here on the podcast and in recognition of the existing issues of workload, pressures, and targets – and of the upcoming challenges General Practice is facing as we transition into the new, larger scale networks, we felt it was about time we welcomed back Dr Rachel Morris, GP, executive trainer, coach and all-rou…

We are in full countdown to ICS mode here on the podcast and in recognition of the existing issues of workload, pressures, and targets - and of the upcoming challenges General Practice is facing as we transition into the new, larger scale networks, we felt it was about time we welcomed back Dr Rachel Morris, GP, executive trainer, coach and all-rou…

Going into partnership and realising success as a GP Partner can be a difficult enough landscape to navigate but when you are from a black, Asian, or other minority ethnic background, simply finding the opportunity to apply and establish yourself within a partnership can be a challenge in itself, for a variety of reasons. In this week’s episode, Be…

Going into partnership and realising success as a GP Partner can be a difficult enough landscape to navigate but when you are from a black, Asian, or other minority ethnic background, simply finding the opportunity to apply and establish yourself within a partnership can be a challenge in itself, for a variety of reasons. In this week’s episode, Be…

With patient demand at an all-time high, coupled with a steady increase in relevant funding and the issue of estates, we are having to think ever more creatively when it comes to workforce planning. When Haywards Heath Villages PCN detected that additional support was needed in improving patient outcomes for cancer and the uptake of cancer screenin…

We are consistently having to think more and more creatively when it comes to workforce planning. Patient demand is at an all-time high and accordingly, an increase in funding for staffing gathers apace, however this needs to be balanced against the ever-present estates headache, and in context with the move towards integrated care. When Haywards H…

Up until now, there has been a disparate and distinct lack of easily accessible information available to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and non-binary community on the practical processes and implications of changing title and gender marker. There have been many reports of misunderstanding and in some cases mistreatment, in the absence of clear …

Up until now, there has been a disparate and distinct lack of easily accessible information available to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and non-binary community on the practical processes and implications of changing title and gender marker. There have been many reports of misunderstanding and in some cases mistreatment, in the absence of clear …

In another of our series focused on Primary Care preparations for Integrated Care System (ICS) go-live in July and working alongside partners both old and new, we speak to Alliance for Better Care (ABC) Chair, Surrey Heartlands ICS Primary Care Leader and PCN Clinical Director Dr Pramit Patel, and ABC CEO Katherine Saunders, on the role of GP feder…

In another of our series focused on Primary Care preparations for Integrated Care System (ICS) go-live in July and working alongside partners both old and new, we speak to Alliance for Better Care (ABC) Chair, Surrey Heartlands ICS Primary Care Leader and PCN Clinical Director Dr Pramit Patel, and ABC CEO Katherine Saunders, on the role of GP feder…

There is no clear answer when it comes to the ‘ideal’ PCN setup, as it is all very much dependent on an individual spectrum of factors including (and not limited to) population size, numbers of employees, local health needs and priorities, financial setup, and more. With workload becoming ever more complex and demand continuing to grow for general …

There is no clear answer when it comes to the ‘ideal’ PCN setup, as it is all very much dependent on an individual spectrum of factors including (and not limited to) population size, numbers of employees, local health needs and priorities, financial setup, and more. With workload becoming ever more complex and demand continuing to grow for general …

It’s the third in our series of podcasts focused on the preparations for Integrated Care Systems! This time, we meet with Adrian Loades, who is the Corporate Director of People at the London Borough of Redbridge, responsible for Adults and Children’s Social Care (and Education), and Public Health within his remit. Adrian chats to Ben about his thou…

It’s the third in our series of podcasts focused on the preparations for Integrated Care Systems! This time, we meet with Adrian Loades, who is the Corporate Director of People at the London Borough of Redbridge, responsible for Adults and Children’s Social Care (and Education), and Public Health within his remit. Adrian chats to Ben about his thou…

In the second of our series (and on the occasion of our 300th podcast episode), we focus on the preparations for, and the journey towards, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs). We are delighted to feature Cambridgeshire Community Services Trust CEO (and NHS England lead for Community Health) Matthew Winn, to get his views on the existing relationship bet…

In the second of our series (and on the occasion of our 300th podcast episode), we focus on the preparations for, and the journey towards, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs). We are delighted to feature Cambridgeshire Community Services Trust CEO (and NHS England lead for Community Health) Matthew Winn, to get his views on the existing relationship bet…

Doctors of the World is a leading charitable organisation which aims to break down barriers to healthcare and prevent social injustice for millions, both globally and within the UK. Currently based in London, Doctors of the World provide medical care, information, and practical resources for minority groups who continue to struggle with access to b…

As we so frequently state, a new era is truly beginning in general practice, with so much on the horizon strategically and operationally. With more and more being demanded from our clinical and management leaders, and three years on since the birth of PCNs, we are seeing widespread changes in leadership teams and the styles required to support and …

We’ve followed the journey of Dr Farzana Hussain, GP lead at The Project Surgery in East London, former 2019 GP of the Year closely over the last three years. Following her recent decision to step down as a Clinical Director, we wanted to revisit her story and find out the reason for her change in direction, particularly while the primary care land…

The announcement of the changes in GP contract heralds a fresh set of challenges for already stretched PCN Clinical leaders, and the need for a bonus edition of our (usually weekly) podcast alongside the introduction of a targeted programme of training. Today’s episode features a seasoned panel of experts; PCN and management guru Tara Humphrey of T…

We are shaping up for the new world of integrated care systems (ICSs) and as part of this, the Fuller national stocktake is a live initiative which has been commissioned to appraise how well existing systems work with primary care (and others) to improve integration of patient care. As a senior GP who is leading on the data, population health manag…

NHS real estate is a complex business, particularly when you’re dealing with a sharp increase and influx of new staff, alongside a mass return to on-site working. In the next instalment of our monthly Practice Index / Ockham Healthcare series, residents Nicola Davies and Dr Hussain Gandhi, offer their thoughts on all things estates; from session pl…

Many in general practice may be unaware of the existence of the General Practice Committee, a recognised body which exists to represent all GPs in the UK, regardless of whether they are BMA members or not, and which is split into national groups of elected members who attend and speak on behalf their local constituent GPs. This week GP, mediator an…

With stress levels continuing to soar within all areas of the healthcare system, we felt it was time to tackle things head on and really get to grips with how conflict occurs specifically within primary care, what options are available to those involved in a breakdown in relations and why a mediator can be instrumental in moving things forward. Thi…

In what is a dose of pure positivity for a Monday, Alvanley Family Practice’s award-winning Nursing Director and Practice Nurse Katherine Parker joins Ben on this week’s Ockham podcast to give us an insight into the work of Primary Care nurses and how they can make a difference when stepping into leadership roles. Katherine details her own journey;…

In the first of our new podcast series focused on the introduction of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) and the transition to yet wider scale working, we speak to distinguished GP Dr Jaweeda Idoo based at Alvanley Family Practice in Stockport. As Chair of her local GP federation, Jaweeda has played an active part in preparing for this brave new world …

Our Practice Index panel return and this week, podcast regulars Robyn Clark and Nicola Davies reflect on the workforce challenges in the year ahead (and beyond) both in their own, immediate areas of influence and across primary care in general. From assessing the situation right now, to recruitment and retention planning for the future, getting the…

After a short hiatus for the festive break, the Ockham podcast is back, and kicking off 2022 with a focus on those considering and/ or beginning life as a new GP Partner. Ben, along with senior GP and podcast veteran Dr Naj Seedat, discuss the key factors when considering signing up to GP partnership, what you can expect from partnership (and deali…

Frailty and the introduction of a targeted service to better meet the needs of those living locally with frailty issues was high on the agenda of Townships 1 PCN Clinical Director and GP Dr Tom Holdsworth. Once CCG funding had been successfully secured, the challenge to recruit a clinical project lead was proving tricky and Tom was eventually convi…

April 2022 marks a significant turning point in terms of finances for both employers and employees within primary care, as changes to the National Living Wage are made, the new Health and Social Care Levy comes into force and there are additional implications for those paying into the NHS Pensions Scheme. Regular podcast guest and primary care acco…

There have been some notable developments in the NHS pensions world since we last caught up with expert Paul Gordon in the spring of 2020. Luckily, Paul is back to bring us up to speed and to explain in simple terms where things have changed, the impact of a highly publicised age discrimination case, what the changes mean in practice for GPs and pr…

The times they are a-changin’ and as we enter the third year since the formation of primary care networks (PCNs), Ben is joined by podcast regular and primary care management guru Tara Humphrey to take stock of the current situation in general practice. Are we still surviving, rather than thriving? What gains have been made over the last 28 months?…

On her almost first anniversary of working in primary care, Nusrat Kausar joins Ben on the podcast this week to discuss the parameters of her role as a dietitian specialising in supporting pre-diabetic patients and those diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes within primary care. Based in a West Yorkshire PCN, Nusrat fills us in on her experiences so far; …

This week heralds the return of inspirational GP Dr Farzana Hussain, who runs The Project Surgery in Plaistow, east London, is Clinical Director of her local PCN and 2019’s GP of the Year, amongst other key roles where she champions innovation and quality improvement in primary care. Farzana is back to share her thoughts on the last year in her rol…

“Dr Gandalf”, GP, eGPlearning podblast founder, and Ockham podcast favourite, is back with another fascinating insight into his most recent year as Clinical Director for Nottingham City East PCN. In this third instalment of his journey, Gandhi and Ben discuss the highlights of recent times, including the recruitment and expansion of a safeguarding …

The dust has certainly not settled on the very recent NHS England publication on improving access for patients and supporting general practice and in the latest of our joint Practice Index / Ockham Healthcare podcast series, our ‘fab four’ react. Our now infamous panel of Practice Management extraordinaires and Institute of General Practice Managem…

With almost twelve months experience of delivering a first contact physiotherapy (FCP) service across three PCNs in South Tyneside, Connect Health can attest to their worth. In fact, the service has been so well received that the PCN are on a mission to double the numbers of physios across their area, going forwards. In this week’s episode we meet …

Picking back up on our series of podcasts about making the best use of the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, this week Ben meets a multi-skilled, multidisciplinary team of professionals who are all working towards achieving better mental health outcomes for the students, staff and young people based in and around the University of Nottingham c…

The struggle for leaders across primary care has never been more real. The ability to influence others and enact change whilst the sector is under such tremendous pressure has never been more difficult. So, what can we do to move our teams both at practice level, and when it comes to navigating and negotiating new ways of working across a network o…

In the latest episode of our monthly Practice Index podcast series, regular panel members Practice Managers Robyn Clark and Nicola Davies are joined by Ilford-based GP Principal and Partner Dr Naj Seedat. The trio, alongside our very own Ben Gowland, discuss the increasingly negative PR campaign which general practice has fallen victim to within th…

Dr Dustyn Saint is a GP with a special interest in informatics, data analytics and in making life a little easier for those working under tremendous pressure in primary care. Following the fallout from the worldwide pandemic, he and his team at Primary Care IT, the organisation Dustyn and his colleague founded to share, evolve, and grow the tools a…

GP Dr Neil Modha returns to the Ockham sofa this week to discuss the topic of health inequalities, something which is particularly close to his heart on account of the vulnerable communities which make up the majority of his Thistlemoor practice in Peterborough’s patient population. From QOF measures to Covid vaccination numbers, Neil explains why …

For too long general practice nursing has been in crisis with high rates of staff turnover, a lack of opportunity to progress - or to seek training and development to progress, coupled with nursing confidence in the system at an all time low and stress levels at an all-time high. As a result, the ten-point action plan for general practice nursing w…

Episode 271 - Podcast – Taurus Healthcare – Inspiring great leadership in the dawn of Integrated Care Systems The healthcare landscape is once again changing, and it is expanding rapidly. The age of integrated care systems (ICSs) is almost upon us and with it heralds a new set of challenges for general practice, particularly when it comes to establ…

The introduction of new roles is not new to general practice, particularly right now, but with the relatively short timeframe that practices have had to adjust to the changes and the challenges following the introduction of the PCNs, it is not surprising that those working in the PCN Manager roles can find it difficult to integrate and engage with …

This week’s episode of our additional roles focused series of podcasts features Alliance for Better Care’s multi-talented Chantelle Martin, an Occupational Therapist by background, who made the jump into social prescribing – and back again! Chantelle’s talks to Ben about her experiences of both worlds, her personal journey within general practice, …