Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 15th May 2020
Date sent: Friday 15 May 2020
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
SGPET Covid weekly update with all online education can be found here
- Committee report from the LMC Chairman
- General Practices' Alert State
- BMA GP & Practice CV19 Toolkit
- Testing of HCWs
- Bank Holiday Opening
- Claiming for COVID-18 Expenses
- Walk in GP X-Ray Services at TST (Musgrove)
- Latest on the national Flu immunisation Programme
- Safeguarding in Lockdown from Dr Jo Nicholl Named GP SG at SCCG
- LMC Office Phone lines
- Local Authority and other public health-commissioned services
- Medicine supply notification for ranitidine all formulations
- Teledermatology Guide LMC rep and dermatologist Jon Upton writes
- NHS Pension Death in Service Benefits
- And Finally...
General Practices' Alert State: Somerset LMC’s assessment of General Practices’ Alert State for the period 8th May - Friday 15th May.
You can follow this link for a more detailed assessment and an explanation of the General Practice Alert State system.
This information is for awareness and consideration when making decisions which may have an impact upon General Practice across Somerset.
The survey for this week is now open until Monday 18th at 7pm.
BMA GP & Practice CV19 Toolkit: Toolkit for GPs and practices has been updated to include a section on minimising risk of transmission in general practice. Any updated guidance or FAQs will be added to this toolkit so please check it regularly for any new additions.
Testing of HCWs: Testing of COVID-19 for primary care staff and household members as well as for all asymptomatic NHS and social care staff and care home residents is now available in testing sites across the country. Staff isolating who need a home test kit should use the Employee (Self-Referral) portal . For further information see this guidance about staff accessing tests . For technical issues related to booking tests and results enquiries contact the Coronavirus Testing Helpdesk - 0300 303 2713. When requesting a test for please do not forget to add the 3 identifiers needed Forename and surname, DOB and First line of address.
Bank Holiday Opening: NHSEI has stated that unless the situation changes it will not be necessary for practices to open on the late may (Whitsun) Bank Holiday on May 25th.
Claiming for COVID-18 Expenses: Practices are reminded to send their claims for extra expenses incurred by the pandemic sooner rather than later to assist cash flow and to make sure that the CCG can process claims in a timely manner.
Walk in GP X-Ray Services at TST (Musgrove): We have been asked to remind you that all walk-in services for X-rays are completely suspended: therefore patients will be sent away. Please give them the print out to phone for a booked appointment. Urgent plain film requests can be made on 01823 342301.
Safeguarding in Lockdown from Dr Jo Nicholl Named GP SG at SCCG: The CCG SG team are here to support you any time. We are keen to understand how safeguarding is working in your practice but do not wish to burden you with yet another questionnaire (LMC comment: Yay!) We want to know how you are managing with supporting vulnerable adults and families during this challenging period? Do you have time to contact these patients when there are numerous competing pressures? Are safeguarding meetings still working? How are you communicating with other agencies and when you do, are you getting the help you need? We are particular interested in any feedback about the “linked professional” approach to supporting the 539 very high risk children across Somerset. We would really like to hear from you. Please email us on somccg.safeguarding-children@nhs.net . Please remember that all safeguarding services are fully operational so do refer in the usual way if you are worried about someone.
LMC Office Phone lines: due to the increase in calls recently and the fact that the team are still remote working we thought we would offer other numbers for you to contact us all
- SGPET and training Hub enquiries 07833 400960 (Jo and Claire)
- LMC office 01823 331428 (Barry Jill or Mandy)
- LMC office Admin 07824 545315 (Sarah or Angela Tues-Fri)
Local Authority and other public health-commissioned services:The LMC has been liaising with Somerset Council about its approach for payments for the enhanced services it commissions locally. Our preference is that the Council aligns its approach with that of Somerset CCG and others across the system we are hopeful of an update soon.
Medicine supply notification for ranitidine all formulations: Please could dispensing practices share with their dispensary staff.
Teledermatology Guide LMC rep and dermatologist Jon Upton writes: with access to dermatology being very limited before the pandemic, it has become even more stretched where we cannot see patients face to face. Never has there been a time where teledermatology is more relevant. However there are a number of pitfalls. The assessment of a rash or a lesion can only happen where good quality images are produced. Often a comment on the pattern of the carpet in the background is more appropriate! So here are some tips on how to take good quality images of your patients.
NHS Pension Death in Service Benefits: Dr Krishan Aggarwal, BMA pensions committee deputy chair, has written a blog to provide guidance about the NHS pension scheme death in service arrangements and can be found here.
And Finally...
Centenarians: The tradition of the monarch sending 100th birthday greetings began with George V in 1917, when he sent out a telegram with the words: ‘His Majesty’s hope is that the blessings of good health and prosperity may attend you during the remainder of your days.’ That year he sent out 24 such cards. By the time Elizabeth II became Queen in 1952 the number had grown to 273. In 2014 the office which sends out cards on her behalf had to hire extra staff when the number reached 7,517. (The Spectator 2nd May).
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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