When I started as a practice manager and walked into my first local practice managers group almost five years ago, I received a lot of sympathetic looks and comments. Why? Because I was a positive, non-cynical, enthusiastic manager.
I’d ask questions like… can you give me the telephone number for an available locum? Or… does the new QOF data come out before April each year? When they all stopped laughing, rolling their eyes and sympathising with me, they’d carry on with the meeting and I’d be left more than a little confused.
Five years on, I’m not confused anymore. Every day can be a frustration. Practice managers are actually a mixture of professions – they’re managers, counsellors, accountants, peacemakers, mechanics (yes I have done this!), welfare advisors and verbal punch bags. Because of this we tend to moan - a lot. I try very hard to minimise my whinging, but it’s inevitably grown over the years.
However, what I also try to do is bring some positivity into my job. During our practice manager circulation of moaning and complaining, I send a funny picture or quote to try to cheer up the growing frustrations… and it works. Humour and positivity help. It isn’t all doom and gloom - practice management can be a place of optimism too!
Here are my top five reasons to be cheerful at work:
One final thought. This week I rang a patient to let her know she could stay on our list. She didn’t speak for a moment and then she cried. You’ve made my day, she said. You’ve made my day.
So the next time you’re staring in disbelief at an email that’s just landed telling you there’s yet another policy that must be implemented by 5pm yesterday, take a minute and remember – general practice is a proud place to be sitting, most of the time.
This was me, a year ago last April when I started as a Practice Manager! You have summed up the role exactly.
This was me, a year ago last April when I started as a Practice Manager! You have summed up the role exactly.
A Letter to Myself as a New Practice Manager
1 March 2017
Practices' locum pay arrangements under the IR35 spotlight
15 October 2018
CQC has ‘improved the quality of care’ in general practice
23 October 2018
Pension scheme tax allowance changes a relief for GPs
5 November 2018
Secret Diary of a PM – A GDPR Dilemma
21 November 2018