March 2026 has brought a series of developments that feel less like isolated events and more like a pattern we can no longer ignore. The near‑unanimous rejection of the GP contract, the escalation of doctors’ strikes, the late publication of the PCN DES, and the stark findings of the Covid Inquiry all point to a system that is still struggling to find its footing.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces a wide range of reforms that will be phased in between 2026 and 2027 and will bring some of the most important updates to UK employment law in recent years. The legislation is designed to improve protections for workers while creating clearer standards for employers.

Winter has once again exposed the pressures that sit just beneath the surface of the NHS. Since mid‑December, the familiar combination of flu, Covid, norovirus and cold weather has collided with workforce shortages and industrial action. None of this is unexpected, but this year the impact feels sharper.

To kick off 2024, our anonymous blogger and practice manager gives their thoughts on worsening financial pressures, vaccination campaigns, and the forthcoming general election.