In Glasgow City we have 140 GP surgeries, hosting around 617 GPs, in addition to other clinical staff, caring for 791,000 registered patients. Each GP surgery has a Practice Manager who is vital to the successful running of the surgery. They manage the business aspect of the surgery, making sure that patients are at the centre of the surgery's operations.

In February Glasgow City GP Practice Managers took part in a special training event at the William Quarrier Centre in Govan, hosted by Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP)’s Primary Care Improvement Team (PCIT) staff.

Audrey McPetrie, Project Manager, PCIT said: “Prior to the event, we asked Practice Managers what they would like covered. Around 50% of the Practice Managers completed a survey and asked for information about teams they could link with in the HSCP and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), and information on training available.

"At the event they heard from representatives of teams who could support them, and information was provided on training resources available such as Community Learnpro and training on equalities and personal development.  The Practice Managers then worked in groups to identify training priorities. Feedback from the event along with the results from an evaluation questionnaire will be used by the PCIP team to support these priorities.”

Delegates reported that they had found the event a valuable opportunity to network, meet colleagues face-to-face, share ideas and put names to faces of NHSGGC and HSCP staff.  They had the opportunity to find out that they’re all facing the same pressures and discuss challenges with colleagues.  The session also let HSCP and NHSGGC staff hear about the main challenges for Practice Managers, so they could help identify solutions.

Quotes  included: “Really enjoyed the networking side of the event as well as all the information in person rather than via emails.”
“During the day there were lots of opportunities to share information and experience from different practices. The whole day was open and collaborative.”

Jenny McCann, our HSCP’s PCIP Programme Manager, chaired the event. She said: “We wanted to hold a face-to-face event to allow Practice Managers to network and discuss common issues but also so that we could meet more of our Practice Managers in person.  It was an opportunity for them to meet us and other HSCP and NHSGGC staff and to find out what help and advice we can offer them. It was also an opportunity to discuss how we can work together collaboratively to ensure the sustainability of general practice.”