March 2026 has brought a series of developments that feel less like isolated events and more like a pattern we can no longer ignore. The near‑unanimous rejection of the GP contract, the escalation of doctors’ strikes, the late publication of the PCN DES, and the stark findings of the Covid Inquiry all point to a system that is still struggling to find its footing.

On March 25th, the CQC gave an official response to the 1,700 responses that providers had given in their 'Better Regulation, Better Care' consultation, which closed in December 2025. They are proposing to return to some measures which had previously been used by the CQC but had been abandoned in favour of the Single Assessment Framework. Share your views through the CQC's online survey by 12 June.

In this monthly report, FPM looks in detail at what the CQC have publicly reported from their GP practice inspections during March 2026, all anonymised. We highlight some of the behaviours that won practices Outstanding ratings, and the reasons some practices were scored Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. Do you recognise any of the observations the CQC picked up, either good or bad?

The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces a wide range of reforms that will be phased in between 2026 and 2027 and will bring some of the most important updates to UK employment law in recent years. The legislation is designed to improve protections for workers while creating clearer standards for employers.

In this monthly report, FPM looks in detail at what the CQC have publicly reported from their GP practice inspections during February 2026. Only the most notable/useful comments are selected for readers from amongst thousands. We highlight some of the behaviours that won practices Outstanding ratings, and the reasons some practices were scored Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. Do you recognise any of the observations the CQC picked up, either good or bad?

In the busy world of general practice management, it’s easy to focus solely on operational pressure. Yet one of the most valuable resources we have is each other. Whether you’re taking part in a training session, joining a professional development workshop, or studying within a qualification cohort, the simple act of connecting with peers can have a transformative impact on your wellbeing and professional growth.

From 6th April this year, the way income tax is reported to HMRC will change for many sole traders, landlords and other key groups. This will affect some GPs and practice managers, but do you know in what way, and how you can prepare?

If you work in general practice, you’ll know that some days feel like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle… on a treadmill. We’re expected to deliver excellent patient care, manage teams, stay compliant, keep morale up, and still find time for “strategic planning.” PCN and Practice Manager Tom Hewitt explains how just two areas quietly make or break a practice...

Winter has once again exposed the pressures that sit just beneath the surface of the NHS. Since mid‑December, the familiar combination of flu, Covid, norovirus and cold weather has collided with workforce shortages and industrial action. None of this is unexpected, but this year the impact feels sharper.