Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 20th September 2019
Date sent: Friday 20 September 2019
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- Violent patient scheme
- Falsified Medicines Directive
- Flu corrector advice sheet
- Flu vaccinations in GP practices – MDU and MDDUS position on indemnity
- Latest Drug Shortages
- Free GP Orthopaedic Study Day
Violent patient scheme: Somerset CCG now have delegated responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Special Allocation Scheme within Somerset, they will be sending out further info in due course. Their email address is: Somccg.generalpractice@nhs.net.
Falsified Medicines Directive: There is no need for non-dispensing practices to do anything now although it is likely practices will need to start decommissioning medication by January 2020. We will get a clearer picture in terms of what practices need to do, what equipment is needed and who will fund it.
If you would like further information in the meantime you may wish to have a look at the toolkit recently published by NHS Digital for practices: https://digital.nhs.uk/services/falsified-medicines-directive-fmd/gp-practice-toolkit
In the event of a no-deal EU Exit, the legislation will be repealed (as the key data flows from the EU central repository) but MHRA / DHSC are clear that an alternative system is being considered.
Flu corrector advice sheet: Most practices will be aware that there has been some confusion over the correct coding needed to obtain payment for the administration of seasonal Influenza vaccine post 01.09.19 this advice sheet will guide practices on the protocol and correct codes to use and the method of the searches needed to address this problem.
Flu vaccinations in GP practices – MDU and MDDUS position on indemnity: Concerns have been raised about what is effectively occupational health indemnity for vaccinating practice staff not being covered under the state-backed CNSGP. GPC has discussed with NHSE, Public Health England and the MDOs. The MDU has provided the following statement: “Our current position on flu vaccinations is that we understand some practices may find it easier to provide flu vaccinations for staff themselves and want to help them to do that. We make no extra charge for indemnity for members whose practices provide flu vaccinations to staff as this is already within the benefits of membership for GP members. We encourage members who want to administer flu vaccinations to staff to contact us and advise the following: We advise members administering flu vaccinations to staff to follow their normal procedures for dealing with unregistered patients and to ensure they make a full assessment of each staff member’s suitability for the vaccine, for example, ruling out contraindications. Consent should be obtained in the usual way as for registered patients. Notes should be kept and, assuming the staff member agrees, their normal registered GP should be advised that they have had the vaccination.”
MDDUS, in response to member concerns, has decided to extend indemnity for staff flu vaccinations to their general practice group schemes and individual GP members (including nurses administering the vaccination as a delegated task), across the UK (including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). This is a temporary measure over the winter until the issue can be fully addressed by the NHS.
Further updates are expected from MPS but early indications are that similar views will emerge. Caveats are likely to include more formal consent, not coercing staff to be vaccinated, and allowing staff the option to attend for a flu jab elsewhere especially when they do not wish their employer to know their about some aspect of their medical history.
Kind Regards
Jill
Jill Hellens
Executive Director
Somerset LMC
Crown Medical Centre, Venture Way, Taunton, TA2 8QY
Tel: (01823) 331 428
Fax: (01823) 338 561
www.somersetlmc.co.uk
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