NHS GP Health Service

A world-first nationally funded service for GPs and GP trainees suffering mental ill-health and addiction is now available.  The NHS GP Health Service provides free, confidential specialist mental health support for a range of conditions including:

• Common and more complex mental health conditions
• Mental health conditions relating to physical health
• Substance misuse including support for community detoxification
• Rehabilitation and support to return to work after a period of mental ill-health.

GPs and GP trainees can self-refer through a regional network of experienced clinicians and therapists across 13 areas in England.

This service was a commitment from NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens and in the General Practice Forward View.

More information including how to access the service is available at: http://gphealth.nhs.uk/

GP Career Plus pilot areas published

NHS England has announced 11 areas across the country that will pilot a new scheme to keep hold of the vital skills and experience of GPs on the verge of leaving.

The GP Career Plus scheme has been developed with the Royal College of General Practitioners, British Medical Association and Health Education England. The 12-month pilot will look to recruit around 80 GPs at risk of leaving the profession. The GPs will be recruited into a general practice pool in each area that works across that health system and could provide clinical cover for sickness and holidays, carry out home visits as well a range of other support.   The pools are expected to go live this summer and if the model is proved to be successful, may be advocated for use by CCGs or providers to help support more GP retention.

More information on the GP Career Plus and pilot areas is available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/gp/gpfv/workforce/gp-career-plus/