As I work in Practices throughout Ireland, I observe the very real challenges of working as a Medical Receptionist in General Practice. It is only when you sit in the “hot seat” that you get a sense of what is involved in this role. From phones that ring constantly to dealing with multiple patient queries,…
with Carmel Kelly, Network Manager – LHP Skillnet  It has been a while since I had my last conversation but I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Carmel Kelly. Carmel is the Network Manager of LHP Skillnet who collaborate with Training Providers like Best Practice to provide quality training to private healthcare Businesses, including General Practice and…
More than ever before, GPs, Practice Nurses, and entire GP practice teams are incredibly busy. Â The last 18 to 20 months have seen so many changes in how Healthcare is delivered. There has also been a massive increase in the use of technology, telemedicine, and Electronic Prescribing. Â From my experience, working with Practices in all…
In Conversation with Jennifer Neff, CEO of Elemental Jennifer is driven by a passion for ending avoidable health inequalities. She set up Elemental Software with her partner Leeann Monk to establish, scale, and measure the uptake and the impact of the social prescribing model of care, connecting people, building communities, and improving lives. Jennifer works…
20% of visits to the GP are more suited to social prescribing and can be managed in the Community
In Conversation with Ann Mulligan, Practice Manager, Bedford Medical Centre The Vaccine rollout has been both a joyous occasion and a massive stressor for General Practice, In this Interview, Ann describes the sense of joy during the vaccine rollout in her Practice. The last year has been so challenging for GPs, Practice Nurses, and all…
In the first of my series of Best Practice in conversation, I had the pleasure of speaking with Andrea Manning. Andrea is an experienced and recognised cybersecurity and GDPR expert and speaker. Driven by her love of data, Andrea’s superpower is her combination of a strategic marketing mindset coupled with an extensive technical background. As…
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Since March 2020, how we provide care to patients has changed so much. What will this mean post pandemic?
The way we provide care in General Practice has changed forever. We have now explored and found new ways to work which we would never have considered before.
The GP is not just a GP. He or she is also a counsellor, an advocate and life-long confidante who cares for their patients during some of the most vulnerable times of their lives. GPs are in it for the long haul, with many caring for patients from the cradle to the grave. This extract…
What is the probationary period for GP staff? Probation is usually defined in a company’s employee handbook, and is given to new employees when they first begin a job. The probationary period allows the employer to terminate the employment for an employee who is not performing well in their job or is otherwise deemed not suitable for the position…
Does how we work make a difference to the outcome? I have the privilege of working in Practices all over the country which has provided me with so many interesting insights into how work is completed. Is there a right or wrong way or is it just swings and roundabouts? As creatures of habit, we…
Having gone through a pretty rigorous process to receive an All-Star Accreditation from the All Ireland Business Foundation in Croke Park, I have had a few days to reflect on being a ‘Thought Leader’ and what it meant to me and Best Practice. When people heard about my accreditation as a thought leader, they were very supportive but…
Listen Back to Asumpta Gallagher interviewed on the Keith Finnegan Show, Galway Bay FM on September 17th. She explains to listeners what Best Practice is about, how it can help Healthcare Practices and GP’s and details some of the new workshops that are starting in Galway from the end of this month and will roll…
In this blog, I wanted to talk about training and whether there is any value in it! I am one of those people who has always gone one step further to seek information. I have always been naturally curious about things. When I worked in retail I was always hungry for knowledge and would study the back…
A letter to the Editor in the Medical Independent some time ago will resonate with many GP’s and anyone with a management role in General Practice. Form filling and rituals are the order of the day to claim entitlements which any GP with a panel of 100 medical card patients or over is entitled to…
A Medical Secretary/Receptionist is a specialist role and therefore, for the majority of roles, you would be required to have an additional set of skills relating to this sector. As you would be handling correspondence and phone calls about a range of different medical conditions/matters, it would be hugely advantageous for you to have a…
I have worked in many different types of workspaces over the years, the most memorable was where I was sharing space with what was effectively a dumping ground for old furniture, shelving units (lots of shelving units!) and old files etc. My mahogany desk was antique and even though it looked really pretty with its…
Recently, I had the pleasure of providing one to one training to a GP Practice Secretary. The training was to help increase her knowledge of state claims, to ensure that the Practice was claiming all of their entitlements and to support her in her role in what was an extremely busy GP practice. This Secretary’s…
Most practices are made up of GPs and Reception Staff with some enjoying the luxury of having a Practice Nurse and/or Practice Manager. As the GP Practice is such a unique and sometimes challenging environment, there are many benefits in ensuring good teamwork. Here are some tips § Some person in the Practice needs to…
We sometimes hear about GP surgeries with fierce, fire-breathing receptionists and phone lines that are constantly engaged but what really goes on behind the reception desk? Lets have a look; Martina who has been a GP Receptionist for over 15 years, has had minimal formal training and possibly gets paid less than she deserves, but…
In the consulting room: a mild case of GDPR In which we establish an evidential link between data protection legislation, headaches and depression in general practice… GP: What can I do for you today, Mrs Smith? Patient: How did you get my name? GP: The receptionist told me before she buzzed you in Patient: I don’t remember giving her…
