In this episode Ben reunites with NHS pensions expert Paul Gordon to explore recent changes to the NHS pension scheme. Paul last joined us in March 2023, they start by revisiting their previous discussion and the scheme's updates. Paul shares the positive changes, and the popularity around them, as well as the associated restrictions. He provides insightful details, including calculations and their impact on individuals' pension plans. Paul also offers a glimpse into the future- hoping for an increased clarity in navigating the complicated topic.
Introduction (0:09)
Recap from March 2023.. (0:35)
24 hour retirement changes.. (1:33)
What’s different now? (2:55)
Age restrictions.. (3:32)
A rise in partial retirements.. (4:24)
Working less, earning more (5:35)
Changes to the annual allowance.. (6:14)
Better rate of growth for McCloud period.. (11:01)
Annual allowance growth charge.. (11:56)
Lifetime allowance being abolished.. (13:11)
Accessing your pension information.. (15:05)
Checking your pension information.. (17:08)
Making a decision (19:02)
Decision at the point of retirement.. (21:21)
Contact details (23:13)
Get in touch with Paul via email here.
For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.
Back by popular demand, we're excited to welcome back Naj Seedat and Andy Pow for another insightful episode.The topic of conversation has come to light due to an ICB that awarded what was an APMS contract, converted to a GMS contract to a PCN, Naj and Andy share their valuable insights and perspectives on this matter. Naj also shares his experience with having both APMS and GMS practices within his patch, shedding light on the approaches they've adopted. The three of them engage in a conversation about the potential future of APMS contracts, the crucial issue of General Practice funding, and their visions for what lies ahead in this ever-evolving landscape.
Introduction (0:09)
Independent Contractor Model (1:16)
Naj’s thoughts.. (2:44)
APMs contract reviews.. (4:58)
The end for APMS contracts? (6:43)
Andy’s thoughts.. (9:09)
How do PCN’s hold a GMS contract? (10:10)
Ben's thoughts on the future for integration? (12:40)
Naj & Andy’s salaries & integration thoughts... (15:40)
Shift in the funding.. (18:32)
Distribution of funding.. (19:29)
PCN’s are here to stay.. (21:28)
For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.
In this week's episode we have the pleasure of welcoming back Hussain Gandhi, for the fifth year running as a PCN Clinical Director. During the conversation, Gandhi reflects on his time as a Clinical Director, sharing both the achievements and the challenges his PCN has encountered. Gandhi and Ben engage in a discussion about the difficulties associated with adapting to the changes of the IIF, the issues PCNs are currently facing, and challenges such as retention due to financial uncertainty. Gandhi also presents his vision for a ‘hub’ and discusses the topic of additional roles, specifically Physician Associates. They talk through the implications of contractual changes and funding issues which have posed significant challenges for practices and PCNs. Finally, Gandhi shares his reflections on the past four to five years of his role as a PCN Clinical Director.
Introduction (0:09)
Gandhi’s PCN.. (0:45)
The PCN’s biggest achievements (1:19)
Investment and Impact Fund criteria (1:48)
The PCN’s ‘lessons learned’ (2:52)
Funding changes.. (3:38)
Challenges as a PCN.. (4:13)
Uncertainty.. (5:09)
Additional roles.. (7:38)
Supporting additional roles.. (9:18)
Further challenges as a PCN.. (10:45)
Bureaucracy.. (11:23)
The hub.. (12:06)
The hub's staffing.. (13:08)
Effects of contractual change (13:32)
Funding issues within practices and PCN’s.. (15:01)
Disengagement within practices.. (17:04)
Active planning for the future.. (18:29)
Is Gandhi staying? (19:39)
Impact of PCN’s on General Practice.. (20:16)
How to move forward? (21:37)
PCN’s sustainability in the future.. (23:00)
Gandhi’s reflections over the last 4 to 5 years.. (24:10)
For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.
In today's episode, Ben is joined by James Catton, Physician Associate in General Practice, host of the Physician Associate Podcast and a PA Ambassador. Together, they deep dive into the role and responsibilities of a PA Ambassador, and discuss James' own creation, The Physician Associate Podcast. Throughout their conversation, James and Ben explore the challenges Physician Associates are currently facing and provide insights into the reasons behind this complex topic. They also offer valuable guidance on how to support PA's effectively and maximise their contributions within practices. James generously shares resources to assist individuals during these challenging times.
Introduction (0:09)
The role of a Physician Ambassador (0:21)
The Physician Associate Podcast (1:25)
Physician Associate listeners (2:16)
Challenging time for Physician Associates.. (3:03)
Factors contributing to the challenging time for PA's (3:31)
PA’s being targeted.. (4:41)
Numbers of PA’s working in General Practice? (6:26)
PA’s experiences so far within General Practice? (7:40)
What would be helpful? (8:45)
Additional roles.. (9:36)
What next? (11:13)
Essential support PA's Require (11:47)
Building a supportive Network within PCN's (13:13)
Emphasising the value of teamwork (14:18)
Enhancing support for PA's working alone (15:35)
Looking to the future.. (15:59)
Resources for PA’s & for supporting PA’s.. (17:53)
Listen to ‘The Physician Associate Podcast’ here, access ‘The PA+PER Magazine’ here, & ‘The Faculty of Physician Associates’ (FPA) here.
For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.
Returning to the podcast this week is Tara Humphrey, Managing Director of THC. Tara joins Ben to discuss the current priorities of PCNs. Tara shares her insights into the most significant challenges PCNs are currently facing, touching upon various issues and tensions within these networks. Tara emphasises the importance of interactions within PCNs and how this directly impacts the trust levels among participating practices. The discussion also revolves around the opportunity PCNs have to collaborate, learn from each other, and provide support for one another, all while recognising that all practices share a common goal and are part of the same team. Tara outlines her expectations regarding the infrastructure needed to support PCN staff effectively. The conversation finishes on the topic of security within PCN roles and what steps networks can take now ready for the future.
Introduction (0:09)
Nomination for the 'Great British Business Women's Awards' (0:37)
Identifying the most biggest challenges faced by PCNs now (1:00)
Collaboration issues (1:41)
Challenges and issues within PCNs (2:04)
Tensions within the networks (2:58)
Repairing relationships (4:08)
Issues related to funding (6:22)
Trust within practices (7:23)
The correlation between trust and interactions (8:47)
Inattention to results (10:26)
PCNs adapting to the change of ‘access requirements’ (11:30)
The value of learning from each other (12:31)
PCN leaders (13:42)
Infrastructure to support staff (14:33)
What infrastructure works best? (16:18)
Security concerns within roles (16:59)
Strategies for tackling uncertainty (18:02)
Recommended steps to take now (19:15)
The current reality (20:33)
For all enquiries about the Ockham podcast, please contact Ben Gowland here.
Find out more about Tara and the work she does via her website.