Applications are now closed.

The Aspiring Practice Managers Programme (APMP) is designed specifically for Aspiring Managers that would like to ‘brush up’ on their understanding of Primary Care processes. The programme is a mix of reflective discussions and theoretical input, all of this is brought together to make real life experiences lived and shared through an improvement lens. Each session will have a mixture of practical/interactive exercises. The programme is split into the following sections: 

  • Mandatory Sessions – 1 welcome session and 7 workshops
  • Optional Pick & Mix Sessions – up to 7 workshops

Delegate Feedback

“Fantastic, best course I have done which relates to my day job. It really was the most useful and relevant training programme I have ever attended. It was brilliant. Thank you very much.” (KH – February 2023) 

“Absolutely amazing, I kind of don’t want it to end. So good to meet new people and network. The content has been spot-on with regards to what I needed to learn and areas to improve my knowledge on, the trainers have been fab and really engaging.” (LF – March 2023) 

“Sometimes the practice manager role can be overwhelming. The course has been delivered by trainers with relevant experience and they made me feel at ease. This course has genuinely made me do my job better, I think it is absolutely wonderful.” (LL – March 2023)

Course Content

All of the workshops will follow a similar format of being interactive and led by the learners discussing individual experiences of the topics, to draw out learning. 

Mandatory 

  1. Welcome to the Aspiring Practice Manager Programme – A short session to outline the programme, go through expectations and commitments, meet the team.
  2. Introduction to Practice Management – Begin to understand the key areas for which you will be responsible in the practice. This is a full day workshop delivered face-to-face. An intensive workshop covering 8 modules: 
    • Workforce Management 
    • Business Planning and Processes 
    • Partnership 
    • Finance 
    • Health and Safety 
    • Unlocking the Potential of IT in the Practice 
    • Involving Patients and Service Delivery of The Future of Primary Care 
    • Practice and Practice Managers Support 
  3. Introduction to Practice Finance and Contracts – The workshop provides grounding in the basics of managing a Practice’s finances. Delegates will gain confidence in how to control cost of the day-to-day operation, whilst at the same time, developing an awareness of planning and forecasting skills so as to successfully deal with any financial challenges ahead. This is a full day workshop delivered face-to-face.
  4. Preparing for CQC Inspection – This practical and interactive workshop will ensure that general practice managers and their teams are fully aware of the requirements for CQC compliance and are prepared for their practice’s next inspection. The workshop will also focus on the policies and documents required and the training needs of the team. This is a full day workshop delivered face-to-face.
  5. Employment and Contractual Responsibilities – The aim of this workshop is to provide delegates with the skills and knowledge required to effectively manage their employment responsibilities. The workshop will cover the employment contract and the employment relationship as well as taking an in-depth look at contractual responsibilities including the requirements of employment legislation. This is a full day workshop delivered face-to-face.
  6. Health and Safety for Primary Care Managers – By the end of this one-day workshop, delegates will have a clear understanding of the legislation affecting health and safety in primary care and their responsibilities within that. Delegates will learn about the risk management process and the need for risk assessment in key areas of the work in primary care. The key focus of the workshop will be on identifying and reducing the risks – the workshop will be highly interactive and practical with an emphasis on understanding the problem areas and action planning. This is a full day workshop delivered face-to-face.
  7. Leading People in Primary Care – Lead, motivate and inspire – three essential ingredients of exceptional management. The key objective of this workshop is to enable managers to not only master the above but also look at the effective use of delegation. To plan creative reward systems and deal with the difficult behaviour that can lower morale and team spirit. This is a full day workshop delivered face-to-face.
  8. Partnership Working – The aim of this full-day workshop is to develop understanding and gain the ability to work effectively with partner organisations to achieve the common goal. By the end of this workshop, delegates will understand the principles of partnership working and how to meet the needs and expectations of partners. This is a full day workshop delivered face-to-face.

Pick and Mix – Optional 

  1. Continuous Improvement Methodologies – The workshop gives delegates a brief practical understanding of the drivers for quality improvement. How to meet quality improvement requirements and also cultivate a culture of continuous improvement in their organisation. This is a half day workshop and is delivered face-to-face.
  2. Talent Management – This is a key skill for both ICSs and organisations of all sizes to optimise individual and team performance. Because delivering success through people should be an objective of every people manager/leader in any organisation. This workshop gives delegates a brief introduction to Talent Management together with some practical tools to help them optimise the contribution of individuals, within their teams, both for the benefit of themselves and their organisation. This is a half day workshop and is delivered face-to-face.
  3. Succession Planning – Succession planning is an important KPI for ICSs. However, it is also important for all organisations, regardless of scale, to appreciate the potential risk, to them, of losing key individuals. Therefore, they need to plan, in a managed way, to mitigate that risk. This workshop gives delegates an increased understanding of the key principles of succession planning, as well as awareness of some practical tools. Thereby, giving delegates a toolkit to plan to ensure the sustained, safe, operational effectiveness of their organisation. This is a half day workshop and is delivered face-to-face.
  4. Fine Tune Your Appraisal Skills – Appraisal is a considerable investment in terms of time and resources for practices. This interactive workshop will provide managers with the skills and tools to reinvigorate their process to ensure that it achieves tangible objectives. The workshop will provide guidance and paperwork to support the creation of appraisals, including team-based appraisal and using a 360° approach. This is a half day workshop and is delivered face-to-face..
  5. Managing Change in General Practice – Delegates will recognise why managing change is vital to an organisation. Delegates will understand how to communicate change and achieve successful change management. Understand the journey, the resistance, and the team strategy to keep the team focused, up to date and motivated towards effective change plans. This is a half day workshop and is delivered face-to-face.
  6. Road Map for Managing Complaints – The purpose of the session is to remind delegates of their Practices obligations under the NHS complaints regulations of 2009 as well as the NHS constitution. In addition to giving delegates a practical appreciation of how to meet the “my expectations” principle which is the basis of the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) key lines of enquiry during Practice inspections. This is a half day workshop and is delivered face-to-face.
  7. Handling Difficult Conversations – The aim of this workshop is to provide delegates with the skills to deal with difficult people in the workplace. These may be patients, colleagues, or other people they meet in work situations. By the end of the workshop delegates will be more confident in their ability to deal with these tricky situations. This is a half day workshop and is delivered face-to-face.

Eligibility

The APMP will be applicable to any junior or less senior manager working within West Yorkshire looking to up skill into a Practice Managers position, as identified by the employing Practice’s workforce development plans.

Additionally, Practice Managers who have been in post with less than one-years’ experience are also eligible to apply.

The Practice must complete an MOU to confirm that all mandatory sessions and confirmed pick and mix sessions will be attended in full.

How to apply

Applications are now closed.

Please note: applications will be processed in the order they are received and places will be allocated on a fair share locality basis across the West Yorkshire region. Applications will be assessed against the eligibility criteria.

By completing this application it does not guarantee a place but confirms that you are available to attend all the mandatory training dates, the selected optional sessions, and to participate in the monthly coaching/mentoring sessions.