Show notes
What really happens behind the scenes when NHS policy is made?In this episode, Nish speaks with Dr Amanda Doyle OBE, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services for NHSE, to unpack how national decisions are actually negotiated, challenged, and delivered into frontline care.From GP partner in a deprived practice to shaping national primary care policy, Amanda shares a rare inside view of leadership, pressure, and influence at the top of the system - and how it really works when ministers, money, and medicine collide.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 - Role overview03:00 - Early life & medicine06:00 - Becoming a GP09:00 - Life as a GP partner13:00 - Leadership emerges17:00 - Family & career balance21:00 - From local to national roles26:00 - Imposter syndrome & confidence30:00 - National leadership reality34:00 - Ministers & policy38:00 - Criticism & scrutiny42:00 - GP contracts & access46:00 - PCNs & neighbourhoods49:00 - Advice for future leaders💡 Key ThemesLeadership often emerges, not plannedNHS decision-making is shaped by tight constraintsClinical grounding matters at senior levelPolicy is negotiation, not controlOpportunity comes from saying yes, not chasing titles🎧 Listen if you want to understand:How NHS decisions are really madePrimary care and GP contract politicsLeadership at national level in healthcareReal-world career progression in medicine 💡 Follow Next Gen GP:Sign up to the monthly newsletter to learn how to join one of our funded GP leadership programmes coming soonLinkedInTwitter/X Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
