MiP Events Programme Manager Shivani Pala looks ahead to the Birmingham event on 8 October, and explains why practice managers should attend

With the pace of technological advancement, the implementation of new strategies and ways of working within the Department of Health and the NHS, the responsibilities of the practice manager are constantly growing.

This has, without a doubt, created the need for up-to-date information on a wide range of new subjects. It is vital that discussion on the development of the NHS, and the important challenges faced in general practice over the next few years, continues.

After the successes of both our Manchester and London events, Management in Practice Birmingham promises to follow suit and a wide range of current topical issues will be addressed.

We are delighted to host Dr John Chisholm CBE as our keynote speaker, who has had a highly successful career in the world of general practice, holding a number of posts including former Chairman of the General Practitioners Committee of the BMA between 1997 and 2004, where he was involved in negotiating the new GMS Contract, as well as a member of the Patient Care (Empowerment) Modernisation Action Team that contributed to the NHS Plan for England. We are certain that his keynote speech will be insightful and highly thought-provoking.

Dr Chisholm has also been one of our judges for the 2008 Management in Practice Awards. One of the highlights of Management in Practice Birmingham will be inaugurating these Awards, a programme designed to recognise excellence and innovation in the primary care setting. We will be announcing the winners who have been through a rigorous assessment and selection process. You will have the opportunity to meet the runners-up and winners and share ideas that can be implemented in your practice, as well as applaud their efforts.

Another highlight will be Kavita Oberoi, the founder and Managing Director of Oberoi Consulting, a company which is recognised as a key provider of dedicated IT and business solutions to the NHS. Kavita will be delivering a session on “Maximising income streams in general practice”,  where she will discuss the value of business planning in general practice, maximising QOF income, enhanced services and other income streams to boost profitability.

Other topical areas that will be addressed are practice-based commissioning, practice-based providing and the changes to QOF in 2008/2009. Experts will give advice on how to implement these strategies and how to deal with any changes in an efficient manner.

Patricia Gray, an independent management and HR consultant, will be discussing the role of today’s practice manager with the GP partners and she will be giving the opportunity for delegates to share their experiences. She will highlight the different expectations of GPs and managers and what can go wrong and why. Particular emphasis will be given to developing the relationship for the future so that maximum benefit can be gained for the practice and the patients.

These are just some of the highlights of this fantastic event. As well as attending presentations, delegates will have the opportunity to partake in forum discussions covering topics such as continual professional development (CPD), practice management qualifications, human resources, customer service, team building, practice accounting, and many more. Here you have the chance to share your experiences with others. As well as the forum discussions we invite you to submit questions to our panel of experts on what it means to be a practice manager and how to get support from PCTs and
the government.

You have the power to direct and define the role of the practice manager. By attending Management in Practice Birmingham 2008 you will have already been involved in influencing change. I look forward to seeing you there.

A version of this article appeared in the latest issue of Management in Practice magazine.

Click here for more information on the Birmingham Event and how to register for free