Why the new GPC chair says GPs need a ‘plan B’; and how a new tool predicts statin side-effect risk

How should GPs manage metabolic syndrome; and how is AI changing the complaints system?

Senior journalist Maya Dhillon is joined by Pulse editor-in-chief Jaimie Kaffash to discuss his new report on the complaints system in general practice [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/category/special-investigations/making-complaints-work/] and his interview with chair of the BMA’s GP committee in England Dr Katie Bramall at Pulse LIVE Birmingham. Jaimie shares his white paper findings on how the fear of complaints is causing just under 80% of GPs to practise medicine ‘defensively’ [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/special-investigations/making-complaints-work/fear-of-complaints-push-79-of-gps-to-practise-defensive-medicine/] as well as how patients are using AI [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/special-investigations/making-complaints-work/patients-using-ai-to-send-legal-letters-to-gp-practices-says-indemnity-provider/] when making complaints. Jaimie also tells Maya about his Big Interview with Dr Bramall at Pulse LIVE Birmingham. The GPC chair revealed her fear that wholesale GMS negotiations may be off the table [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/contract/wholesale-gms-contract-negotiations-may-be-off-the-table-says-bma-gp-committee-chair/] following Wes Streeting’s health secretary resignation, and explains her strategy for ongoing collective action against the Government. Last but not least, clinical adviser Dr Keith Hopcroft is joined by Professor Tom Barber, consultant endocrinologist and professor of endocrinology at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, to revisit his session from Pulse LIVE Birmingham on managing metabolic syndrome in general practice. Professor Barber explains what exactly metabolic syndrome is, advises GPs on they should identify patients at risk (using a measuring tape rather than scales), and how to manage the condition. Free registration for Pulse newsletters here [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/pulse-register/].

Why the new GPC chair says GPs need a ‘plan B’; and how a new tool predicts statin side-effect risk

Editor Sofia Lind is joined by deputy news editor Anna Colivicchi to discuss Anna’s Big Interview [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/views/big-interviews/dr-clare-bannon-gp-partnerships-are-the-most-effective-part-of-nhs/] with the new chair of the BMA’s GP Committee in England, Dr Clare Bannon. The pair reflect on Dr Bannon’s plan for her term in power, including future collective action, the importance of the partnership model to the healthcare system, and how preparing for a ‘plan B’ [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/views/editors-blog/the-new-gpc-chair-is-asking-a-question-few-gp-leaders-have-dared-to-ask/] could give GPs other options in the scenario that the NHS fails. Anna the speaks with senior journalist Maya Dhillon about her trip to Wales for Pulse LIVE Cardiff, where she also interviewed GPC Wales chair Dr Gareth Oelmann. As the Welsh Government goes through a transition period, Dr Oelmann discusses the need for an increase in funding to general practice; the need more GPs; and explains why contract negotiations have been delayed. And for our clinical section, GP and editorial adviser Dr Keith Hopcroft runs through one of our most popular stories from June: the development of a risk calculator that estimates a person’s risk of developing serious muscle disorders [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/clinical-areas/cardiovascular/risk-calculator-gives-personalised-prediction-for-statin-muscle-side-effect-risk/] from taking statins. Study lead Dr Ting Cai, research fellow in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford joins him to answer his questions about the future of this tool being used in consultations, as well as how it may affect management and monitoring of patients. Continue your learning by registering for our upcoming Pulse Virtual Events. These events are designed for GPs and primary care professionals seeking practical, CPD-accredited clinical updates and expert-led insights they can apply straight into everyday consultations. The next session, taking place in August, focuses on vaccinations and immunology. [https://events.cogora.com/vaccinations-immunisations-aug26/register-step1?c_mkrf=pulselandingpage&utm_source=pulse365.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=eventspage?utm_source=pulse365.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=events_page] We’ll also be travelling to Newcastle, Cardiff, Glasgow, Belfast and Liverpool this year, delivering our Pulse LIVE Events. Book your free place today. [https://pulse365.uk/events/?utm_source=Editorial&utm_medium=blurb&utm_campaign=pulse365] This episode was produced by Maya Dhillon. Pulse in Focus: The Podcast for GPs is hosted on Buzzsprout but you can find it wherever you get your podcasts. Free registration for Pulse newsletters here [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/pulse-register/].

Could GPs actually go private? Why are GPs rethinking LESs? And vitamin D and calcium for fracture prevention

In this episode, the Pulse team discusses the BMA’s decision to ballot GPs in England on a ‘plan B’ or an alternative model of general practice. Pulse senior journalist Maya Dhillon is joined by deputy news editor Anna Colivicchi and editor-in-chief Jaimie Kaffash to look at where this has come from, what it shows about the profession's mood and how likely an exit from the NHS actually is. The group reflect on what 'doing a dentist' could actually look like, as well as talking to Dr Maitiú O’Faoláin - vice chair of the GP committee of the Irish Medical Organisation - about what GPs here could learn about the Republic of Ireland's mixed private and state-funded model of general practice. Editorial adviser Dr Keith Hopcroft is joined by Professor Celia Gregson, professor of clinical epidemiology and chair of the National Osteoporosis Guideline Group, to discuss new research on the use of vitamin D and calcium supplements for fracture prevention. Reporter Harry Hetherington stops by to talk about his investigation into local enhanced services across England. He explains the threefold 'LES Lottery' he uncovered through data, explaining the variation for services across ICBs and why GPs continue to carry out underfunded LESs. And we round off the episode with a quickfire clinical round-up with the biggest stories this month: the final recommendations for prostate cancer screening in the general population; a name change for polycystic ovary syndrome; and uptake in combined asthma inhalers since NICE update. Free registration for Pulse newsletters here [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/pulse-register/].

False penicillin allergies; when back pain could be cancer; and Gerada at Pulse LIVE

In this month's episode, the team reports exclusively from Pulse LIVE London. Pulse's editorial adviser Dr Keith Hopcroft takes us through his favourite clinical sessions, and Pulse editor Sofia Lind gives us the highlights from her Big Interview with Baroness Clare Gerada. Dr Hopcroft interviews Dr Stephanie Kayode, consultant allergist at the department of adult allergy at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. She explores how GPs can identify patients who are falsely labelled as having a penicillin allergy, and how GPs should go about attempting to de-label them. He then speaks to GP, locum consultant in pain and musculoskeletal medicine and NHS Northwest London musculoskeletal and diagnostics clinical lead Dr Imran Sajid, about how GPs can assess and manage back pain with or without sciatica or radiculopathy in primary care - including when it could indicate bone cancer. Lastly, Sofia and Baroness Gerada discuss the failed assisted dying bill and how it may return, what GPs can do to get policy makers to sit up and listen, and how general practice can learn to work with AI. Continue your learning by registering for our upcoming Pulse Virtual Events. These events are designed for GPs and primary care professionals seeking practical, CPD-accredited clinical updates and expert-led insights they can apply straight into everyday consultations. Taking place in May, we’ll be focusing on Chronic Conditions [https://events.cogora.com/pulsevirtual-chronic-conditions-dermatology-diabetes/register-step1?c_mkrf=editorialblurb&utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pulsetoday.co.uk%2F&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=Pvemay26_Blurb], Dermatology and Diabetes [https://events.cogora.com/pulsevirtual-chronic-conditions-dermatology-diabetes/register-step1?c_mkrf=editorialblurb&utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pulsetoday.co.uk%2F&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=Pvemay26_Blurb], and in June, Women’s Health [https://events.cogora.com/pulsevirtual-womens-health-urology-and-dermatology/register-step1?c_mkrf=editorialblurb&utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pulsetoday.co.uk%2F&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=Pvejun26_Blurb], Urology and Dermatology. [https://events.cogora.com/pulsevirtual-womens-health-urology-and-dermatology/register-step1?c_mkrf=editorialblurb&utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pulsetoday.co.uk%2F&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=Pvejun26_Blurb] We’ll also be travelling to Birmingham, Newcastle, Cardiff, Glasgow, Belfast and Liverpool this year, delivering our Pulse LIVE Events. Book your free place today. [https://pulse365.uk/events/?utm_source=Editorial&utm_medium=blurb&utm_campaign=pulse365] Free registration for Pulse newsletters here [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/pulse-register/].

An expert look at semaglutide for CVD prevention; and the BMA's GP collective action dilemma

The new episode of Pulse in Focus: The Podcast for GPs is now live and available on all podcast platforms. In this month’s episode, our team unpicks the new guidance from NICE, recommending use of weight loss drug semaglutide (Wegovy) to prevent further heart attack and stroke [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/clinical-areas/cardiovascular/nice-recommends-semaglutide-injections-to-prevent-heart-attack-and-stroke/]. Pulse editorial adviser Dr Keith Hopcroft is joined by Professor Ahmet Fuat, honorary professor of primary care cardiology at Durham University and GP with extended role in cardiorenal medicine. The pair discuss the evidence base behind the recommendation, what the rollout might look like, who is eligible [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/category/clinical-areas/cardiovascular/], who will be responsible for managing care including lifestyle support, and how it fits in with existing NICE guidance on treating patients with type 2 diabetes [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/clinical-areas/diabetes-endocrinology/nice-confirms-first-line-sglt-2-prescribing-in-final-type-2-diabetes-guidance/]. Professor Fuat also considers whether semaglutide has the potential to go to be used for primary prevention in future. We round up our episode with editor Sofia Lind discussing where general practice stands following a referendum on the 2026/27 GP contract, in which 98.9% rejected the Government’s imposed changes [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/breaking-news/gps-in-england-vote-overwhelmingly-to-reject-imposed-contract-changes/]. She tells senior journalist Maya Dhillon about ‘the difficult position’ she believes the GPC is in, as it has threatened collective action by 30 April (unless the Government pauses its implementation of ‘mandatory’ A&G) while the Government has said this may mean missing out on a primary negotiation role in new GMS contract [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/views/editors-blog/could-gps-really-do-a-dentist/] discussions. For more information about how to attend the Community Pharmacy and General Practice Conference, click here [https://events.cogora.com/cpgp-conference].  Free registration for Pulse newsletters here [https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/pulse-register/].