We asked our columnists for their views on CQC practice inspections.

Try these sample AKT questions provided by Dr Mahibur Rahman from Emedica

Dr Andrew Tresidder explores how to maintain professional detachment in a consultation, drawing on the psychological concepts around the Drama Triangle. He is a GP Patient Safety Lead for Somerset CCG, GP Appraiser, member of the Somerset Clinician Support Service, and member of the European Association of Physician Health. He is a former Somerset LMC rep and Bristol Medical School Academy GP Lead.

Mrs H was a 35-year-old teaching assistant who also had two school-aged children. She was obese with a BMI of 40. In 2006, she had seen Dr G with left knee pain. Dr G recorded that on examination her knee was tender over her medial joint line but was otherwise stable. He initially prescribed diclofenac and advised her to lose weight.

Protecting children is something that we all must play a part in, writes Professor Sir Peter Rubin

Dr Ishani Patel at Network Locum discusses how to mitigate the everyday risks that locum GPs face.

For a busy GP, any tool that can save time and labour is valuable. Charlotte Hudson chats with Dr Darach Ó Ciardha about the launch of GPBuddy.co.uk and its benefits for GPs and patients

Victoria Armitage, from the Royal National Institute of Blind People, shares her experience of general practice as someone with sight loss.

Following a number of practice meetings I had some real corkers to tell from the “field” about dilemmas in discretion and confidentiality.

“On the first day of Christmas my Consultant said to me…” Christmas can be a challenging time for foundation doctors in hospitals. Medicolegal Adviser Dr Clare Redmond advises on how to survive the festive season.

The words CQC and inspection can strike fear into the hearts of practices; what can your practice do to get through this daunting time? Charlotte Hudson investigates.

Cross Hills is a semi-rural practice on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, located between Keighley and Skipton. Part of the Airedale Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group, it is a training practice with just over 12,000 patients, ten GPs, one Registrar, two advanced nurse practitioners and a full practice nursing team, as well as dedicated admin support staff.

Fred had been my patient for a few years but died in November 2011. Fiona, who is the eldest daughter of Fred, is also my patient and was her father’s main carer. Fred was due to take a holiday over Christmas in 2011, so Fiona wanted to cancel the holiday and make a claim on the holiday insurance policy that Fred took out in December 2009.

In this series Charlotte Hudson explores the key risk areas in general practice

Dr Euan Lawson, portfolio GP in Cumbria, explains how a little bit of apathy goes a long way

All GPs will be expected to provide patients with online access to their medical records by 2015, but not everyone believes it is a good idea. Dr Amir Hannan shares how Haughton Thornley Medical Centre approached online access to records and how their patients responded.

Roslynne O’Connor relocated to the beautiful Isle of Skye to work as a practice manager; she describes her typical day

In the second part of his four-part series exploring elements of the new Good Medical Practice, Professor Sir Peter Rubin, chair of the GMC, looks at conflicts of interest

How does a nurse practitioner run a successful GP practice? Charlotte Hudson chats to Carol Sears who is the clinical director of The Cuckoo Lane Practice in Hanwell, London

New GP Dr Laura Davison took a career break to become a jungle GP in Mexico. Here’s what happened

In this issue we share a case where a GP got in trouble prescribing for a family member, when a pharmacist reported him to the GMC

Try these sample AKT questions provided by Dr Mahibur Rahman from Emedica

Julie Price, Clinical Risk Programme Manager, shares a repeat prescribing journey to safeguard your practice.

The GMC’s latest advice around social media has caused much debate. Here chair of the GMC, Professor Sir Peter Rubin responds to the criticism, and new GP Dr Laura Davison comments on the guidance