Handbook of Practice Management > Volume 71, Number 0 > Pp. 4-01-4-64

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4. Employing and managing people

General practice is a business, an evolving business that needs a supportive organisational structure. GPs must ensure that their organisational structure is underpinned by qualified and professional clinical and administrative staff, who are not only responsive, but adaptive to their needs. Staff should be seen as being an investment in the business of general practice.

Attached to investment there is a responsibility. Apart from the legal responsibilities, there are also the demands of human resource management. If it is accepted that staff are one of the most important assets in general practice, then it is essential that they are able to work to their full potential, whilst fulfilling the role that the GP expects of them, to the standard that the service demands.

This chapter will cover the essential points relating to employment law and give some specific guidance on elements of human resource management, which hopefully will go some way towards assisting the GP and/or practice manager to develop a support team that will meet the ever-increasing demands of such a dynamic area of the health service.

Due to the complexity and variety of employment law and aspects of human resource management it is not practical to give specific examples in many areas. It is worth commenting, however, that in all situations the measure of good practice will always be that which is deemed bthe subject we are addressing. Please also note that this chapter has been related to the English system. The authors are not aware that there are any significant differences between the employment laws and practices in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, practice managers in the latter three countries may prefer to check just to be sure. If any differences are noted, the authors would be grateful of associated feedback.

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