1. The Evolving Landscape for GP Practices
UK general practice is under unprecedented pressure. Demand is rising, funding is tight, and recruitment challenges mean fewer GPs are covering more patients.
- In 2024, GPs in England delivered over 320 million appointments, yet access remains the number one patient concern.
- Workforce shortages continue to bite — the Health Foundation projects a shortfall of more than 7,000 full-time equivalent GPs by 2030.
- At the same time, digital transformation is accelerating. 99% of GP practices now use some form of online consultation or triage system, and patient satisfaction with digital access is rising year-on-year.
For practice leaders, this means balancing safe, sustainable access with operational efficiency and compliance , all while managing limited resources.
2. The Role of Effective Practice Management
Strong practice management goes beyond running the day-to-day. It’s about:
- Meeting NHS access and recovery targets
- Reducing the administrative burden on GPs
- Ensuring CQC compliance and regulatory readiness
- Supporting staff wellbeing and retention
- Embedding the right digital tools without overwhelming teams
The right combination of expert consultancy and smart technology is what allows practices not just to survive, but to thrive.
3. How PCMS Supports Practices
This is where PCMS comes in.
As a consultancy, we specialise in helping GP surgeries and PCNs manage the business of primary care — from compliance and governance, to workforce planning, patient access, and operational improvement.
Our value lies in:
- Experienced Advisory: Decades of experience working with UK practices, understanding the unique pressures of primary care.
- Regulatory Confidence: Support with CQC, NHS England frameworks, and governance so practices stay compliant.
- Access & Demand Management: Designing systems that balance continuity of care with timely access.
- Tailored Solutions: We don’t deliver one-size-fits-all. Each practice is unique, and our consultancy reflects that.
4. Our HealthTech Division: GPChatBot
Alongside our consultancy work, we run GPChatBot — a HealthTech division built to support practices with digital access.
- Digital Triage & Navigation: Helping patients get to the right service faster.
- Automation of Admin: From sick notes to FAQs, GPChatBot reduces repetitive workload.
- Patient Engagement: Easy-to-use bots on web and WhatsApp to support patients where they are.
- Integration with NHS Systems: Aligns with NHS App and existing practice workflows.
Together, PCMS consultancy and GPChatBot technology give practices both the strategic guidance and the practical tools to deliver sustainable, modern general practice.
5. Final Thoughts
Primary care in 2025 is at a crossroads: pressures are real, but opportunities to innovate are greater than ever. Practices that combine expert management support with the right technology will be best placed to meet demand, deliver better access, and protect clinical time.
PCMS is uniquely positioned to deliver both.
Through our consultancy expertise and our HealthTech division GPChatBot, we help practices stay compliant, resilient, and future-ready.
👉 Learn more at www.pcmsolutions.co.uk or email us on info@pcmsolutions.co.uk