In this month’s Practice Index sponsored Practice Manager panel, Nicola, Robyn, and Ben turn their attentions to planning for, funding, and staffing the winter months ahead. With the recent NHS England announcement of a Primary Care funding package, the group discuss the parameters of this, how the funding model has been set out and how we might utilise the allocated monies to best effect, and also discuss the wider ramifications such as the influence of the media, policy makers and public perception on managing and meeting demand during a time when pressure is at its highest and staffing levels remain at the lowest they have ever been.   Introduction (9 secs) Will NHS England’s package of support be of benefit this year? Nicola’s view (35 secs) Robyn’s initial thoughts (1 min 44 secs) Flexibility of funding? (2 mins 14 secs) System development funding and framework – the application process from a Practice Manager perspective (3 mins 16 secs) Establishment of two-way communication (5 mins 59 secs) Urgent care demand and the impact on general practice workload (7 mins 36 secs) A change in central communications (8 mins 52 secs) Issues of consistency when it comes to messaging (11 mins 32 secs) Impact on staffing and recruitment (12 mins 47 secs) ‘Sexing up’ Primary Care (14 mins 37 secs) What can practices do to make the most of the winter funding pot? (16 mins 3 secs) Applying flexibility in funding local needs (17 mins 38 secs) A creative and community-based approach (18 mins 34 secs) “Seeking forgiveness, rather than permission” (19 mins 24 secs)   For all enquiries about the Practice Index / Ockham podcast, please contact James Dillon here or Ben Gowland here