We can’t contain our excitement here at the MiP headquarters — it’s our 50th edition! MiP has been running for more than a decade, and over that time the changes we have seen in the profession have been something to talk about, such as roles changing from the conventional route of ‘practice manager’ to ‘transformational manager’. We have also seen the NHS space evolve, as well as the typical practice manager role expand from one largely focused on paperwork to controlling the general maintenance of the practice. There’s no doubt that the role of a practice manager in this day and age is changing more than ever before; they undertake tasks that aren’t necessarily in their job description and go above and beyond to ensure that the successful running of a practice is underway.
Practice managers certainly are the glue that binds a practice together, and we have a lot of respect for the work that they do in the profession. But as we move forward with our publication, we not only want to celebrate the hard work and success of the practice management community but also need to understand the challenges ahead. General practice is under immense pressure, and it seems vital to highlight that, although the road ahead will not be easy or for the faint-hearted, we still have to ensure that we do a few things to stay strong as a community.
Firstly, practice managers need to stay positive that the problems in the NHS will be overcome with the support of the Government. Secondly, as workloads get heavier, work days get longer and problems seem never-ending; we must remain positive that there’s always a solution and that these obstacles will eventually be overcome with the right mindset and skill set. Thirdly, to use the practice manager community not only as a network to learn from other professionals, but also as a tool to support each other. This can be a vital resource if we learn from each other and understand what works in practices and what doesn’t. Lastly, it’s vital to never give up in a profession that seems forever challenging, and to remember that the contribution you’re making, large or small, is adding to the overall improvement of general practice and providing a better healthcare service to patients. Be proud of all that you are doing.
In the future, I would be keen to see how the practice manager role will expand and how it will develop and change. But, as I take a moment to reflect on all the great work that managers do in the community, I think this is a time to celebrate the vital role that you play as you tackle all the challenges in primary care. I salute your hard work and the contribution you have made in this sector. As we celebrate our 50th edition (with cake, of course), I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to our readers, especially those who have been with us from the beginning, and we are thrilled to have grown our MiP family over the years. If it wasn’t for our bloggers, commentators, readers and columnists, we would not have been able to reach this point.
With the milestone of this 50th edition, 2017 has been a great year for MiP. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2018. But one thing’s for sure, we will continue to provide you all with the latest practice news in the sector. So, let’s raise a glass of champers to you, the people who work so hard behind the scenes, the team at MiP and the readers; here’s to the next 50 editions and beyond. Wishing you all a very happy 2018.
Angela Sharda is deputy editor of Management in Practice Follow her on Twitter @angelasharda or email her at [email protected]
