The Physician Associate debate has dominated headlines for over three years, but the landscape in 2026 is finally settling. With the High Court dismissing the PA union’s legal challenge in July, the Leng Review recommendations now stand in full. For GP practices, this marks a turning point: the PA role is not disappearing, but it is being reshaped into something smaller, safer, and more clearly defined.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly common part of our everyday working lives. From helping to draft emails and summarise documents to supporting research and generating ideas, AI tools can improve efficiency and productivity across a wide range of roles. As these technologies become more accessible, it's important that we use them responsibly, ethically, and in line with company policies.

In this report, you'll find the high level trends and themes from the last three months of our analysis of CQC GP Practice Inspection Reports. Here you can see what most commonly led to practices being awarded Outstanding, Requires Improvement, and Inadequate. You can also see the trends broken down by Key Question, and some thoughts on practical implications for GP practice and PCN managers.

The NHS has launched a new Leadership and Management Framework designed to create consistent standards for leaders and managers at every level of the health service, including those working in general practice. Published as part of the NHS management and leadership programme, the framework is intended to support delivery of the NHS 10-Year Health Plan and to ensure both clinical and non-clinical leaders have the skills, behaviours and competencies required for modern healthcare.