Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 2nd October 2020
Date sent: Friday 2 October 2020
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- NHS COVID-19 App
- CV19 & Flu Co-Infection
- Locum GP Flu Vaccination
- Primary Care Investment Scheme
- Summary of changes to PCN DES
- Contract changes
- Survey of Salaried GP's
- Digital vs face to face consultations
- Cervical Screening Report Delays
- Prescription Duration - Please Don't Change
- Axillary Ultrasound Requests
- Daily Sitrep
- Cervical Cytology Assessors wanted
- Invite to the launch of Nurse Education at University Centre Somerset
NHS COVID-19 App: The app features the ability to turn contact tracing on and off – this feature was built in for users working in high-risk environments but with adequate PPE to ensure that they do not receive notifications to isolate where it is not necessary.
CV19 & Flu Co-Infection: The DHSC published guidance in Health Matters: delivering the flu immunisation programme during the COVID-19 pandemic on 22nd September. There were some interesting figures which could be useful when talking to those reluctant to be vaccinated. PHE published new research on the interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and flu and the impact of co-infection on disease severity. A total of 19,256 were tested for both flu and COVID-19 between 20 Jan and 25 April 2020.
Locum GP Flu Vaccination: We have received several reports of locum doctors finding it difficult to secure flu vaccinations from their registered practice. Locum GPs are fully entitled to receive the flu vaccination from their registered GP, and practices are contractually responsible for providing the flu vaccination to locum GPs who are their registered patients. It is vital that we work together during this unprecedented winter season to protect our already over stretched workforce. Somerset LMC says if you have a locum working in your practice just offer them a flu jab.
Primary Care Investment Scheme: The PCIS specification has been sent to all practices this week. There is a copy on our website: it can be found under Enhanced Services 20/21. You will also find a page called Green Impact which we have put together to support practices to achieve this indicator.
Contract changes: Colleagues will have been sent the latest contract variation and at least one has expressed frustration of having over 100 pages to wade through. We are therefore indebted to Dr Julius Parker of Surrey & Sussex LMCs for the attached brief summary. It contains important information on workforce and appointment data submissions, patient registration, including moving out of area, the “violent patient scheme” as was, patient assignment (“allocation”), subcontracting and a rib tickler about CQC registration being grounds for termination of contract.
Survey of Salaried GP's: The BMA is doing a survey on the terms and conditions under the salaried GP model contract focusing on pay and provision of parental leave rights. Your answers will inform reviewing salaried GPs remuneration package and used in negotiations with NHSE. It should only take five minutes and responses will be anonymous. The survey will close on 12 October. If you have any questions please email info.pcs@bma.org.uk Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey – we appreciate your input.
Cervical Screening Report Delays: Practices have been told that owing to a short term shortage of reagent cervical samples are being stored until they can be processed. Smear takers are advised to continue to take and send off samples but to warn patients that the result may take a little longer and so not to worry unless six weeks have passed with no news. Reagent will be available from 8th October. Any questions should be addressed to Elizabeth.luckett@nhs.net
Prescription Duration - Please Don't Change: As we remarked earlier this year it is important NOT to increase the duration of repeat prescriptions. As the CCG’s Shaun Green wrote earlier this week, as other parts of the country see increasing CV19 cases and enter levels of lockdown, the strict national guidance remains that there should be NO increases in prescription durations. “Any change in prescribing durations to support individual patients will cause local and national stock shortages so potentially harming many more patients and significantly increasing practice and pharmacy workloads.” The LMC strongly supports this important advice.
Axillary Ultrasound Requests: Colleagues who have requested this test using Ordercomms in recent years will have invariably had the request rejected. These studies are – for ALL patients - the province of the Breast Dept. It seems sensible therefore to remove the test from the drop-down picking list as it is never done in Diagnostic Imaging.
Daily Sitrep: Thank you to everyone who have been completing the Daily Sitrep. We have recently had a few practices who have completed the survey but haven’t given us the name of the practice so we can’t support you if you ask for our help. Please remember to tell us who you are thank you.
Cervical Cytology Assessors wanted: PDI are recruiting cervical cytology assessors to support local nurses new to sample taking with their final assessment, please see the flyer and contact us for further information.
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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