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Tag: Locum GP Agency

Is the GP Partnership Model Changing for Good?

Two General Practitioners in a UK Primary Care practice discussing GP partnership, succession planning and workforce leadership at a practice meeting

The GP partnership model is not disappearing. But it is shifting. Fewer newly qualified GPs are actively pursuing partnership early in their careers. Portfolio roles, salaried positions and flexible working are often more attractive than immediate equity and operational responsibility. That shift has consequences for practices. The quiet risk Across the country, many established GP […]

Making ARRS Work

Stethoscope on a laptop, representing ARRS workforce support in primary care

ARRS funding has brought meaningful change to primary care. Additional roles are now embedded across PCNs and are supporting better access, broader skill mix and more joined-up patient care. As ARRS continues to mature, the conversation is shifting from implementation to optimisation. How practices make it work alongside existing teams matters more than ever. The […]

Primary Care Trends for 2026: Why Workforce Flexibility Is Now a Survival Strategy

Calendar showing 2026, representing primary care workforce planning and future trends

Primary care is operating under sustained pressure and as 2026 unfolds, that pressure is becoming less predictable and harder to plan around. This is no longer about short-term gaps or seasonal demand. Workforce flexibility is now essential for GP practices, PCNs and ICBs across the UK. ARRS Has Helped, But It Has Limits ARRS funding […]

What’s Coming Up. Winter Pressures, the Financial Year and the Holiday Season

A stressed healthcare manager surrounded by colleagues while planning staffing and rotas on a laptop, representing the impact of winter pressures, financial year demands and holiday cover in primary care.

The next few months bring a perfect storm for primary care. Seasonal illness, rising appointment demand, financial year planning and holiday leave all overlap. For most practices, this period determines whether teams stay in control or enter the new year already overstretched. Winter pressures are predictable but still challenging. Respiratory illness, flu and a general […]

Leading the Change in Primary Care Recruitment: The Vela Way

The Vela Medical Group logo displayed on a light background, symbolising Vela’s commitment to transparency, quality, and leadership in transforming primary care recruitment across the UK.

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 […]

The Evolving Role of Practice Nurses

A smiling Practice Nurse using a stethoscope to listen to a young patient’s heartbeat, representing the caring and evolving role of nurses in modern primary care.

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

A stethoscope, laptop, and medical equipment on a desk symbolising planning, recruitment, and strategic workforce development in primary care for 2026 and beyond.

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

Two healthcare professionals having a discussion about future workforce strategies and recruitment planning in primary care, representing the focus of the 2026 insights blog.

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 […]

Winter Pressures in Primary Care: How to Strengthen Your Workforce

Man with a cold sitting by a window, blowing his nose, representing winter illnesses and seasonal pressures in Primary Care.

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

Female GP discussing patient care with a colleague in a primary care consultation, representing collaboration in general practice recruitment.

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 […]