Well, it’s almost 5 years since I picked up the title of working as a GP Practice Manager. And, although the Coalition government is having a ‘listening pause’ to hear what lobbying bodies and pressure groups have to say about the new direction of the NHS, the Partners and I have come to the conclusion to embrace the changes.

What do I mean by that?

Well, as a practice we really don’t know what the outcome is going to be from the exercise above, but one thing that is for sure, the landscape of GP practice will change dramatically. Practices are fundamentally businesses and GP’s enter this career pathway to maintain their own autonomy of decision making.

Now, with the future changes afoot, the decision making process isn’t just for their own practice population, it has the additional dimension of making decisions for the locality.

I get the impression that the chant of the three musketeers will be something that the GP’s will be adopting as their own affirmation to success. “All for one – one for All”.

Consequently, this is a different way of working for GP’s to be suddenly being accountable to their own peer group and the wider community.

So what does that mean for me?

Well, commissioning in some shape and form will happen. This will be an extended role both for GP’s and their managers. So rather than wait for this to happen and be in a flux of crisis management we have taken action now.

Playing to my strengths

I’ve just had my appraisal and being a big picture thinker, problem solver with an ability to be creative –  my role is going to be divided into two.

Strategic Manager – will be my new role, where I will drive the practice forward to deliver on the new commissioning remit.

The new role available will be that of Business Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to make every piece of data count and deliver on the day-to-day management of the practice.

Why share this with you?

The reason for this blog is to share that just like you I too am facing changes in the workplace. The wants and desires of the NHS are strongly influencing the landscape of patient care with many unknowns. The difference for me and maybe for you too, is to plan now for change. It makes it easier and puts you ahead of the game. It makes you more resourceful and in a position where your team can make the adjustments too.

Let’s face it – it’s a better place to be rather than waiting for something or someone to come up behind you and knock the wind out of your sails!

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