A Day in the Life of General Practice: Challenges and Opportunities Across the South West

Sandy Park welcomed delegates from across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset once again in May for our annual Business of General Practice event – a full day of practical insight, shared experience and honest conversation about the reality of running a GP practice today. 

Now a firm fixture in the healthcare calendar, the event brought together practice owners, managers and healthcare specialists to explore the issues that matter most to primary care – from operational efficiency and benchmarking to the evolving landscape of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams. 

Insights from the Day 

The keynote session came from Sally di Mambro of Wellington Medical Practice, who gave an honest and compelling account of the practice's journey including the decisions, challenges and ambitions that have shaped their recent growth. Her perspective as a senior GP partner navigating today's pressures resonated strongly with delegates and set the tone for the day. 

The day covered a wide range of topics relevant to anyone running or managing a GP practice today, including the GP contract update, financial benchmarking, legal myth-busting, partnership and employment considerations, and the future of primary care estates. 

With increasing numbers of practices exploring the idea of moving their surgery premises into a limited company, Seb Beard took delegates through the key tax and practical considerations – a session that struck a chord, generating some of the liveliest conversation of the day. 

With 2026/27 funding arrangements still far from settled, Jenna Clark and Kelly Derham Nester guided delegates through what we know already, before turning to the broader shift towards Integrated Neighbourhood Teams. Drawing on real examples of Primary Care taking on Secondary Care contracts, the session prompted plenty of discussion about what that means in practice – for how services are delivered, how organisations collaborate, and how neighbourhood-based care might look in the years ahead. 

What Delegates Said  

The feedback from the day was positive, with delegates highlighting both the quality of the sessions and the value of being in a room with peers facing similar challenges. 

One delegate described it as "really useful – headspace to think strategically and network," while another said it was "valuable and different to other conferences out there, the business focus sets it apart." The Wellington Medical Practice session drew particular praise, with one attendee calling it "awe inspiring." 

The strength of the programme was a recurring theme throughout the feedback we received. Delegates highlighted the legal myth-busting session, GP premises and property, neighbourhood teams and the funding gap as standout topics. As one delegate put it: "Wonderful day, well hosted and very informative – full of new ideas." 

Looking Ahead 

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Sandy Park – it was another brilliant day. We are already planning our next event for September 2026, keep an eye on our events page for updates and we hope to see you there. 

For a closer look at the latest news and updates from our team, head over to our Additions page.  

To find out more about how Simpkins Edwards supports GP practices, visit our Healthcare Services page or contact us to speak with a member of the team.