The Institute of General Practice Management (IGPM) has had over 150 applicants for its practice manager accreditation scheme following the launch of the framework in June this year.
The accreditation framework was created to give practice managers the opportunity to obtain professional status and be formally accredited. Applicants who pass the assessment will be awarded Member of the Institute of General Practice Management (MIGPM) status.
Practice managers currently taking part in the scheme include two managers per practice in NHS Sussex ICB, 50 managers in Greater Manchester, funded by a local alliance called GP Excellence, and 65 managers who have independently applied with funding either from their local practice, PCN or themselves.
Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes ICS has also funded accreditation for one manager per practice in the area.
The framework itself consists of 10 separate elements that make up the key components of a managerial role in general practice. It is designed for both new managers seeking career progression, but also for experienced managers keen to develop their career.
To become accredited, practice managers must submit an application with two references. A panel of three trained accreditors will then use a closed marking system to score each application against the 10 framework domains.
A spokesperson for the IGPM said: ‘The director and regional representative team have presented locally and nationally to interested parties, including the NHS England National Primary Care Practice Management Delivery Group, GPC England, BMA Wales and RCGP Wales. All of the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.’
They added: ‘The IGPM strongly encourages anyone working in general practice management to consider becoming accredited.’
