Leading the Change in Primary Care Recruitment: The Vela Way
At Vela Medical Group, recruitment is more than a process. It is a partnership built on trust, quality and care. We are proud to be the UK’s leading recruitment consultancy dedicated exclusively to primary care, supporting practices with highly skilled nursing, mental health and AHP clinicians. Our focus allows us to understand the sector inside […]
Building Capacity in Primary Care: The Rise of the Paramedic Practitioner
Across the UK, primary care teams are feeling the pressure. Patient numbers continue to grow, appointments are harder to book and practices are under increasing strain to meet expectations. To keep services moving, many are turning to Paramedic Practitioners as a vital part of their workforce. Paramedics entering general practice bring something different. They are […]
The Evolving Role of Practice Nurses
In every GP surgery across the UK, Practice Nurses are becoming the backbone of patient care. As demand grows and the healthcare landscape evolves, these clinicians are stepping into more complex, autonomous, and essential roles than ever before. Far from just running clinics or taking bloods, Practice Nurses are now central to chronic disease management, […]
Primary Care in 2026 and Beyond: Recruitment Predictions and Strategic Hiring Insights
The challenges facing primary care today will shape the workforce of tomorrow. As we move towards 2026, the trends are clear – demand continues to rise, the GP workforce continues to shrink, and practices are having to think strategically about long-term recruitment. At Vela Medical Group, we’re already seeing the next phase of change taking […]
Workforce Crises and Opportunity Zones – Recruiting in Deprived Areas in Primary Care
The NHS faces a widening divide in access to primary care. While some regions attract strong GP coverage and multidisciplinary teams, others – often in deprived or remote communities are struggling to fill even the most essential roles. According to recent reports, several programmes designed to attract doctors to underserved areas are at risk of […]
The End of the 8am Scramble: What New Walk-In Hubs in Scotland Signal for Primary-Care Recruitment
For years, the 8am GP appointment rush has been a defining frustration of primary care. Patients queuing outside surgeries, phone lines ringing off the hook and clinicians under pressure to manage unrealistic demand – it’s a scenario that’s all too familiar. In response, Scotland is introducing 15 new walk-in hubs designed to make access easier […]
Winter Pressures in Primary Care: How to Strengthen Your Workforce
Understanding Winter Pressures in Primary Care Winter pressures in Primary Care are one of the most consistent challenges for GP practices and Primary Care Networks across the UK. During the winter months, patient demand increases significantly, with more respiratory illnesses, urgent care appointments, and long-term condition reviews. These winter pressures make effective Primary Care recruitment […]
Maximising the 2025/26 GP Contract: What New Recruits Need to Know
The 2025/26 GP contract marks one of the most positive shifts for primary care in recent years.With additional investment, streamlined funding routes, and greater flexibility for practices, the changes are designed to strengthen the workforce, modernise access, and sustain high-quality patient care. For practices recruiting new staff and for clinicians exploring career opportunities – these […]
ARRS in 2025/26: What Contract Changes Mean for Your Workforce
The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) has been central to workforce planning in primary care since 2019. For 2025/26, the new GP contract introduces greater flexibility in how PCNs can use this funding. This makes it essential to review your approach and plan ahead. What has changed in 2025/26? What PCNs should do differently this […]
Last-Minute Cover Won’t Save You, That’s Why Winter Planning Starts Now!
It might feel early, but preparation is everything. Every year, as winter pressures build, GP practices and PCNs find themselves scrambling to fill rota gaps. In March 2024, GP teams delivered almost 30 million appointments in a single month, which was a 23% increase compared to March 2019. By December 2024, practices and PCNs provided […]