Dr Katie Bramall
@drkatie.bsky.social
@doctor_katie in the other place
Chair @BMA_GP England & UK
Chief Executive @CambsLMC
GP @HaileyViewGP
Views my own: RT ≠ endorsement
Retired quizzer; devoted mother; loves a good pair of slippers & synthpop bangers.
Chair @BMA_GP England & UK
Chief Executive @CambsLMC
GP @HaileyViewGP
Views my own: RT ≠ endorsement
Retired quizzer; devoted mother; loves a good pair of slippers & synthpop bangers.
Reposted by Dr Katie Bramall
Our practice gets a minimum average of 44 online queries an hour on a Monday. 31 an hour the rest of the week We don’t have the resourcing to cope with this unless we cancel all other work. In the past two weeks we have had two sick babies put through on admin form. Despite our website saying don’t
According to this data
💥5,967 (over 96%) of practices in England have at least one online consultation system
💥5.1 million patient online submissions occurred in August
💥3.5 million clinical, the rest admin
(For context every A&E nationwide offers 67,000/day)
3/x
💥5,967 (over 96%) of practices in England have at least one online consultation system
💥5.1 million patient online submissions occurred in August
💥3.5 million clinical, the rest admin
(For context every A&E nationwide offers 67,000/day)
3/x
October 1, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Our practice gets a minimum average of 44 online queries an hour on a Monday. 31 an hour the rest of the week We don’t have the resourcing to cope with this unless we cancel all other work. In the past two weeks we have had two sick babies put through on admin form. Despite our website saying don’t
Reposted by Dr Katie Bramall
GPs have done all they can to keep patients safe and provide as much as possible
1.4million people will consult today
Compare this with 67,000 in A&E
The reason for the concerns is we have a capacity problem & a funding crisis
The 8 am rush (it’s bad) will be replaced by the GP waiting list (worse)
1.4million people will consult today
Compare this with 67,000 in A&E
The reason for the concerns is we have a capacity problem & a funding crisis
The 8 am rush (it’s bad) will be replaced by the GP waiting list (worse)
If @wesstreeting thinks GPs are stuck in 20thC, visit a hospital
We are the science museum!
➡️Electronic records since 1991
➡️Online triage
➡️Ambient scribes
➡️SMS
➡️Online bookings
➡️Electronic prescribing
➡️Online referrals
➡️Video consults DAYS after 1st lockdown….
1/x
We are the science museum!
➡️Electronic records since 1991
➡️Online triage
➡️Ambient scribes
➡️SMS
➡️Online bookings
➡️Electronic prescribing
➡️Online referrals
➡️Video consults DAYS after 1st lockdown….
1/x
October 1, 2025 at 6:42 AM
GPs have done all they can to keep patients safe and provide as much as possible
1.4million people will consult today
Compare this with 67,000 in A&E
The reason for the concerns is we have a capacity problem & a funding crisis
The 8 am rush (it’s bad) will be replaced by the GP waiting list (worse)
1.4million people will consult today
Compare this with 67,000 in A&E
The reason for the concerns is we have a capacity problem & a funding crisis
The 8 am rush (it’s bad) will be replaced by the GP waiting list (worse)
If @wesstreeting thinks GPs are stuck in 20thC, visit a hospital
We are the science museum!
➡️Electronic records since 1991
➡️Online triage
➡️Ambient scribes
➡️SMS
➡️Online bookings
➡️Electronic prescribing
➡️Online referrals
➡️Video consults DAYS after 1st lockdown….
1/x
We are the science museum!
➡️Electronic records since 1991
➡️Online triage
➡️Ambient scribes
➡️SMS
➡️Online bookings
➡️Electronic prescribing
➡️Online referrals
➡️Video consults DAYS after 1st lockdown….
1/x
September 30, 2025 at 8:34 PM
If @wesstreeting thinks GPs are stuck in 20thC, visit a hospital
We are the science museum!
➡️Electronic records since 1991
➡️Online triage
➡️Ambient scribes
➡️SMS
➡️Online bookings
➡️Electronic prescribing
➡️Online referrals
➡️Video consults DAYS after 1st lockdown….
1/x
We are the science museum!
➡️Electronic records since 1991
➡️Online triage
➡️Ambient scribes
➡️SMS
➡️Online bookings
➡️Electronic prescribing
➡️Online referrals
➡️Video consults DAYS after 1st lockdown….
1/x
Equally true:
@TheBMA warns Secretary of State the NHS will die, should Labour lose the next election, because they refused to work with Drs & imposed unevidenced top-down reforms & dangerous contracts risking patient safety…
theguardian.com/society/2025/s…
@BMA_GP @rcgp @TheDA_UK
@TheBMA warns Secretary of State the NHS will die, should Labour lose the next election, because they refused to work with Drs & imposed unevidenced top-down reforms & dangerous contracts risking patient safety…
theguardian.com/society/2025/s…
@BMA_GP @rcgp @TheDA_UK
https://theguardian.com/society/2025/s…
September 14, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Equally true:
@TheBMA warns Secretary of State the NHS will die, should Labour lose the next election, because they refused to work with Drs & imposed unevidenced top-down reforms & dangerous contracts risking patient safety…
theguardian.com/society/2025/s…
@BMA_GP @rcgp @TheDA_UK
@TheBMA warns Secretary of State the NHS will die, should Labour lose the next election, because they refused to work with Drs & imposed unevidenced top-down reforms & dangerous contracts risking patient safety…
theguardian.com/society/2025/s…
@BMA_GP @rcgp @TheDA_UK
Great article by James here: on the back of @wesstreeting’s letter to GPs this week: (in thread)
www.bma.org.uk/news-and-opi...
www.bma.org.uk/news-and-opi...
The results are in: GPs do an amazing job
Despite the severe pressures family doctors are under they have seen 30 million patients in one month alone, finds survey
www.bma.org.uk
August 15, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Great article by James here: on the back of @wesstreeting’s letter to GPs this week: (in thread)
www.bma.org.uk/news-and-opi...
www.bma.org.uk/news-and-opi...
Reposted by Dr Katie Bramall
Newsnight last night. I had more to say but it wasn't easy.
We already have Neighbourhood health centres - they are called GP surgeries. Invest in GP - we know it works if funded properly
youtu.be/mDEDXFQfqIk?...
We already have Neighbourhood health centres - they are called GP surgeries. Invest in GP - we know it works if funded properly
youtu.be/mDEDXFQfqIk?...
Helen Salisbury Newsnight July 2025
YouTube video by Christina Pagel
youtu.be
July 4, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Newsnight last night. I had more to say but it wasn't easy.
We already have Neighbourhood health centres - they are called GP surgeries. Invest in GP - we know it works if funded properly
youtu.be/mDEDXFQfqIk?...
We already have Neighbourhood health centres - they are called GP surgeries. Invest in GP - we know it works if funded properly
youtu.be/mDEDXFQfqIk?...
This:
Already over 6000 Neighbourhood Health Centres in England
GP Practices have lost 20% real terms funding since 2016, if they hadn’t they would be better able to provide the care patients need
Still 31m appts/month
Fund GP practices properly & they’ll do the rest with less funding & quicker
GP Practices have lost 20% real terms funding since 2016, if they hadn’t they would be better able to provide the care patients need
Still 31m appts/month
Fund GP practices properly & they’ll do the rest with less funding & quicker
July 3, 2025 at 1:44 PM
This:
For GPs, focus is always on maintaining patient trust in how their confidential data is handled
We were not aware that GP data, collected for Covid-19 research, was being used to train an AI model, “Foresight”….
We were not aware that GP data, collected for Covid-19 research, was being used to train an AI model, “Foresight”….
May 30, 2025 at 8:58 PM
For GPs, focus is always on maintaining patient trust in how their confidential data is handled
We were not aware that GP data, collected for Covid-19 research, was being used to train an AI model, “Foresight”….
We were not aware that GP data, collected for Covid-19 research, was being used to train an AI model, “Foresight”….
Reposted by Dr Katie Bramall
NEW REPORT: How does patient satisfaction with general practice vary in England? And what do patients value in their practice?
We find that patients prefer:
- More GP partners
- More GP appts
- More F2F appts
- Smaller list sizes
Other findings👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
We find that patients prefer:
- More GP partners
- More GP appts
- More F2F appts
- Smaller list sizes
Other findings👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
General practice across England | Institute for Government
What does patient satisfaction across England tell us about GPs surgeries' performance?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
April 22, 2025 at 9:38 AM
NEW REPORT: How does patient satisfaction with general practice vary in England? And what do patients value in their practice?
We find that patients prefer:
- More GP partners
- More GP appts
- More F2F appts
- Smaller list sizes
Other findings👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
We find that patients prefer:
- More GP partners
- More GP appts
- More F2F appts
- Smaller list sizes
Other findings👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Dr Katie Bramall
Science affords us the luxury of forgetting the impact of infectious diseases
- In the 1st half of the 19th century 40-50% of children in US did not make it past the age of 5
- TB killed 1 in 7 people in US and Europe
- smallpox killed 80% of infected children
theconversation.com/infectious-d...
- In the 1st half of the 19th century 40-50% of children in US did not make it past the age of 5
- TB killed 1 in 7 people in US and Europe
- smallpox killed 80% of infected children
theconversation.com/infectious-d...
Infectious diseases killed Victorian children at alarming rates — their novels highlight the fragility of public health today
Between 40% and 50% of children didn’t live past 5 in the US during the 19th century. Popular authors like Charles Dickens documented the common but no less gutting grief of losing a child.
theconversation.com
December 29, 2024 at 5:34 PM
Science affords us the luxury of forgetting the impact of infectious diseases
- In the 1st half of the 19th century 40-50% of children in US did not make it past the age of 5
- TB killed 1 in 7 people in US and Europe
- smallpox killed 80% of infected children
theconversation.com/infectious-d...
- In the 1st half of the 19th century 40-50% of children in US did not make it past the age of 5
- TB killed 1 in 7 people in US and Europe
- smallpox killed 80% of infected children
theconversation.com/infectious-d...
Reposted by Dr Katie Bramall
@drkatie.bsky.social was great on R4 Today (7.50 if you missed it)
We want not just to stop practices closing but to improve the service they can offer to patients (timely access to a GP they know) and this will cost more than is currently on the table - but it's a start.
We want not just to stop practices closing but to improve the service they can offer to patients (timely access to a GP they know) and this will cost more than is currently on the table - but it's a start.
Hopeful noises coming out of GP/Govt contract negotiations - but there's a lot more still to do. Glad continuity of care is finally a buzzword (buzzphrase?)
Some concerns that all the money so far announced might be swallowed up by ⬆️costs (NICs, NMW etc). Huge gratitude to KBS @the-bma.bsky.social
Some concerns that all the money so far announced might be swallowed up by ⬆️costs (NICs, NMW etc). Huge gratitude to KBS @the-bma.bsky.social
December 21, 2024 at 9:17 AM
@drkatie.bsky.social was great on R4 Today (7.50 if you missed it)
We want not just to stop practices closing but to improve the service they can offer to patients (timely access to a GP they know) and this will cost more than is currently on the table - but it's a start.
We want not just to stop practices closing but to improve the service they can offer to patients (timely access to a GP they know) and this will cost more than is currently on the table - but it's a start.
Reposted by Dr Katie Bramall
A great explainer from GPCE chair @drkatie.bsky.social on exactly what is at stake with the upcoming negotiations for the new General Practice contract.
From 11:24 on Matt Frei's LBC show today 👇
www.globalplayer.com/live/lbc/lon...
From 11:24 on Matt Frei's LBC show today 👇
www.globalplayer.com/live/lbc/lon...
LBC London - Listen Live | Global Player
Leading Britain's Conversation. Access your favourite LBC shows now!
www.globalplayer.com
December 21, 2024 at 5:42 PM
A great explainer from GPCE chair @drkatie.bsky.social on exactly what is at stake with the upcoming negotiations for the new General Practice contract.
From 11:24 on Matt Frei's LBC show today 👇
www.globalplayer.com/live/lbc/lon...
From 11:24 on Matt Frei's LBC show today 👇
www.globalplayer.com/live/lbc/lon...
Reposted by Dr Katie Bramall
“Replacing the Carr-Hill formula with a needs-based formula is the best and most sustainable way to make general practice funding more equitable.” @becksfisher.bsky.social @nuffieldtrust.bsky.social @rcgp.bsky.social @drkatie.bsky.social @qmul.ac.uk
General practice funding is inequitable: the Carr-Hill formula, which decides the distribution of funding, is outdated and fails to take account of socioeconomic deprivation.
Our briefing, proposes replacing Carr-Hill with a modern, needs-based formula.
Our briefing, proposes replacing Carr-Hill with a modern, needs-based formula.
Fairer funding for general practice in England: what’s the problem, why is it so hard to fix, and what should the government do?
General practice funding is inequitable: the Carr-Hill formula, which decides the distribution of funding, is outdated and fails to take account of socioeconomic deprivation. This briefing, produced…
buff.ly
December 15, 2024 at 10:45 AM
“Replacing the Carr-Hill formula with a needs-based formula is the best and most sustainable way to make general practice funding more equitable.” @becksfisher.bsky.social @nuffieldtrust.bsky.social @rcgp.bsky.social @drkatie.bsky.social @qmul.ac.uk
Reposted by Dr Katie Bramall
Can’t get an appt with a GP?
Yet there are 1000s of GPs out of work or struggling to find work
NHS England have cut the equivalent of 2 full-time GPs in funding from an average practice, whilst funding ‘additional’ roles via ARRS
£2bn cut in real term
Not additional then🤷🏻♂️ youtu.be/tI69wqP1_3g?...
Yet there are 1000s of GPs out of work or struggling to find work
NHS England have cut the equivalent of 2 full-time GPs in funding from an average practice, whilst funding ‘additional’ roles via ARRS
£2bn cut in real term
Not additional then🤷🏻♂️ youtu.be/tI69wqP1_3g?...
Over 80% of locum GPs in England are struggling to find work
YouTube video by Channel 4 News
youtu.be
November 16, 2024 at 11:20 AM
Can’t get an appt with a GP?
Yet there are 1000s of GPs out of work or struggling to find work
NHS England have cut the equivalent of 2 full-time GPs in funding from an average practice, whilst funding ‘additional’ roles via ARRS
£2bn cut in real term
Not additional then🤷🏻♂️ youtu.be/tI69wqP1_3g?...
Yet there are 1000s of GPs out of work or struggling to find work
NHS England have cut the equivalent of 2 full-time GPs in funding from an average practice, whilst funding ‘additional’ roles via ARRS
£2bn cut in real term
Not additional then🤷🏻♂️ youtu.be/tI69wqP1_3g?...
Reposted by Dr Katie Bramall
If you've been wondering where I went: my team in Oxford (60 of us!) build beautiful tools for NHS data. We help researchers work on the whole nation's GP records while protecting - provably - everyone's privacy. It's big potatoes!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRjR...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRjR...
OpenSAFELY in a nutshell
YouTube video by Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2024 at 5:20 PM
If you've been wondering where I went: my team in Oxford (60 of us!) build beautiful tools for NHS data. We help researchers work on the whole nation's GP records while protecting - provably - everyone's privacy. It's big potatoes!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRjR...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRjR...
Reposted by Dr Katie Bramall
NEW: The great Trump-Musk crackdown is coming. And it will hit hard & fast. Journalists will be first. But everyone else is next.
I urge you to read my 20 lessons in How to Survive the Broligarchy, inspired by & featuring the great @timothysnyder.bsky.social
1/
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I urge you to read my 20 lessons in How to Survive the Broligarchy, inspired by & featuring the great @timothysnyder.bsky.social
1/
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
How to survive the broligarchy: 20 lessons for the post-truth world | Carole Cadwalladr
In the wake of Trump’s unnerving appointees, the investigative journalist and veteran of the libel court offers pointers on coping in an age of surveillance
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2024 at 10:18 AM
NEW: The great Trump-Musk crackdown is coming. And it will hit hard & fast. Journalists will be first. But everyone else is next.
I urge you to read my 20 lessons in How to Survive the Broligarchy, inspired by & featuring the great @timothysnyder.bsky.social
1/
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I urge you to read my 20 lessons in How to Survive the Broligarchy, inspired by & featuring the great @timothysnyder.bsky.social
1/
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Dr Katie Bramall
Let me help you Wes Streeting @teamlabouruk.bsky.social
GP partnerships are providing 5m more appointments a month compared to 2019
30million half the population
2million is the total A&E attendances a month
End the partnership model & I can guarantee A&E waits will double/treble
📌 this post
GP partnerships are providing 5m more appointments a month compared to 2019
30million half the population
2million is the total A&E attendances a month
End the partnership model & I can guarantee A&E waits will double/treble
📌 this post
November 16, 2024 at 3:12 PM
Let me help you Wes Streeting @teamlabouruk.bsky.social
GP partnerships are providing 5m more appointments a month compared to 2019
30million half the population
2million is the total A&E attendances a month
End the partnership model & I can guarantee A&E waits will double/treble
📌 this post
GP partnerships are providing 5m more appointments a month compared to 2019
30million half the population
2million is the total A&E attendances a month
End the partnership model & I can guarantee A&E waits will double/treble
📌 this post
This is so important & fits the priorities of DHSC & Wes Streeting with digital>analogue
Digital transformation is too important
We must GIRFT!
@DavidGWrigley
@BMA_GP
@bengoldacre
@rcgp
@DrMarkColey
@marcus_baw
@medConfidential
@Patient_Data
@LabourTogether
Digital transformation is too important
We must GIRFT!
@DavidGWrigley
@BMA_GP
@bengoldacre
@rcgp
@DrMarkColey
@marcus_baw
@medConfidential
@Patient_Data
@LabourTogether
🌟New🌟: in an editorial for the @bmj.com, the BMA's @drkatie.bsky.social, Yale's Jess Morley (whom we await here eagerly! 🦋), and I explain why NHS tech transformation will happen if - and only if - Labour does much more work to shore up public trust:
www.bmj.com/content/387/...
www.bmj.com/content/387/...
November 15, 2024 at 12:27 AM
This is so important & fits the priorities of DHSC & Wes Streeting with digital>analogue
Digital transformation is too important
We must GIRFT!
@DavidGWrigley
@BMA_GP
@bengoldacre
@rcgp
@DrMarkColey
@marcus_baw
@medConfidential
@Patient_Data
@LabourTogether
Digital transformation is too important
We must GIRFT!
@DavidGWrigley
@BMA_GP
@bengoldacre
@rcgp
@DrMarkColey
@marcus_baw
@medConfidential
@Patient_Data
@LabourTogether
🍁Thoughts re yesterday’s Autumn Statement
📱I spent time on the phone to @SKinnock yesterday afternoon. @DrPhilBanfield did the same with @wesstreeting
1/8
📱I spent time on the phone to @SKinnock yesterday afternoon. @DrPhilBanfield did the same with @wesstreeting
1/8
October 31, 2024 at 2:03 PM
🍁Thoughts re yesterday’s Autumn Statement
📱I spent time on the phone to @SKinnock yesterday afternoon. @DrPhilBanfield did the same with @wesstreeting
1/8
📱I spent time on the phone to @SKinnock yesterday afternoon. @DrPhilBanfield did the same with @wesstreeting
1/8
Reposted by Dr Katie Bramall
omg the Telegraph actually did it
October 26, 2024 at 6:47 PM
omg the Telegraph actually did it
Reposted by Dr Katie Bramall
Fridges full of flu vacs! we have no way of storing RSV vac too, comes in a big pack & without buying more fridges, dongles to monitor etc = 💰we don’t have. also think giving before flu will confuse people. If NHSE want us to do more work, need more human & equipment resources @drkatie.bsky.social
September 18, 2024 at 4:41 PM
Fridges full of flu vacs! we have no way of storing RSV vac too, comes in a big pack & without buying more fridges, dongles to monitor etc = 💰we don’t have. also think giving before flu will confuse people. If NHSE want us to do more work, need more human & equipment resources @drkatie.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Katie Bramall
@drkatie.bsky.social great work as per on bbc radio 4 this morning to in response to health secretary’s strange sabre-rattling comments and highlighting existential crisis of general practice
September 13, 2024 at 9:01 AM
@drkatie.bsky.social great work as per on bbc radio 4 this morning to in response to health secretary’s strange sabre-rattling comments and highlighting existential crisis of general practice
Reposted by Dr Katie Bramall
Agreed. @drkatie.bsky.social gave a calm, sensible, fact-filled reply
Would like to hear similar tone from Health Secretary. Still time to correct if he now feels he misspoke
Well worth a listen (from 1:34 into the programme):
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Would like to hear similar tone from Health Secretary. Still time to correct if he now feels he misspoke
Well worth a listen (from 1:34 into the programme):
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
September 13, 2024 at 9:09 AM
Agreed. @drkatie.bsky.social gave a calm, sensible, fact-filled reply
Would like to hear similar tone from Health Secretary. Still time to correct if he now feels he misspoke
Well worth a listen (from 1:34 into the programme):
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Would like to hear similar tone from Health Secretary. Still time to correct if he now feels he misspoke
Well worth a listen (from 1:34 into the programme):
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
You don't have to go through tough times alone
Today marks World Suicide Prevention Day
1 in 4 GPs know another who’s died from suicide
My own GP took his life in 2021
Please reach out to your LMC, use @BMA_GP support & @NHSPracHealth or one of these:
Today marks World Suicide Prevention Day
1 in 4 GPs know another who’s died from suicide
My own GP took his life in 2021
Please reach out to your LMC, use @BMA_GP support & @NHSPracHealth or one of these:
September 10, 2024 at 7:06 PM
You don't have to go through tough times alone
Today marks World Suicide Prevention Day
1 in 4 GPs know another who’s died from suicide
My own GP took his life in 2021
Please reach out to your LMC, use @BMA_GP support & @NHSPracHealth or one of these:
Today marks World Suicide Prevention Day
1 in 4 GPs know another who’s died from suicide
My own GP took his life in 2021
Please reach out to your LMC, use @BMA_GP support & @NHSPracHealth or one of these: