The introduction of GP practice budgets, the new GP contracts and developments in commissioning care in the community have completely changed the character of GP practice management. There is an increasingly entrepreneurial approach focused on customers and an accompanying need for a managerial approach. The purpose of this text is to provide a practical guide to key management issues faced in running an efficient GP practice. It is an essential handbook including information on the main management issues of finance, personnel, information and quality as well as specific "best practice" case examples on IT, contracts and legal issues. The introduction of GP practice budgets, the new GP contracts and developments in commissioning care in the community have completely changed the character of GP practice management. There is an increasingly entrepreneurial approach focused on customers and an accompanying need for a managerial approach. The purpose of the text is to provide a practical guide to key management issues faced in running an efficient GP practice. The handbook includes details on the main management issues of finance, personnel, information and quality, as well as specific best practice examples on IT, contracts, and legal issues.