Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 18th December 2020
Date sent: Friday 18 December 2020
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- Message from LMC Chairman Dr Karen Sylvester
- MOU for Somerset CCG and Trust staff to support PCN Hubs
- Accountability Concerns Re Covid Vaccine
- University of Oxford / AZ Covid-19 vaccine trial data
- PAG Themes
- 2019/20 annual allowance charge compensation scheme (England and Wales)
- Referrals to Children’s social care
- GP Safehouse
- Big Tent
- And Finally...
MOU for Somerset CCG and Trust staff to support PCN Hubs: The LMC and Primary care board have made comments, and are now happy with this MOU that has been developed to allow CCG and Trust staff to work collaboratively with PCNs on the Mass vaccination programme.
Accountability Concerns Re Covid Vaccine: The LMC were asked what accountability professionals are signing up to as a vaccinator and we received this advice form the GPC:
In the case of PGDs these can be used only by registered professional staff (so this does EXCLUDE physicians’ associates as they are not yet registered) so there is no indemnity question arising from that. In the case of PSDs (which have not yet been written, and in any event cannot be used for the Pfizer vaccine because the diluter and draw-upper must be the same person who injects - therefore there can be no non-registered vaccinators for Pfizer [the AZ vaccine does not require dilution and so can be drawn up by a registered person and administered by a non-registered person]) the non-registered person must have completed the on-line training. As long as they have done that then the operation will be being run professionally and everyone will be covered. The CNSGP will cover all indemnity issues.
University of Oxford / AZ Covid-19 vaccine trial data: The data from Phase III of the University of Oxford / AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine trial has been published and provides further good news in that it suggests that this vaccine could prevent asymptomatic disease, and we look forward to the trial to be completed.
The data is promising, particularly as we know that this vaccine can be stored at fridge temperature and can be more easily be delivered in primary care.
Read the Wellcome Trust statement here.
2019/20 annual allowance charge compensation scheme (England and Wales): Following significant pressure by the BMA, NHS England and NHS Wales introduced the annual allowance repayment scheme last year, which guarantees that any annual allowance tax charge in 2019/20 for eligible clinicians will be compensated for at the time of retirement.
If an eligible clinician who is a member of the NHS England and Wales pension scheme incurs an annual allowance tax charge, they must elect to pay this via scheme pays. The formal scheme pays deadline is 31 July 2021, however, members are encouraged to complete the forms as soon as possible, preferably by 31 December 2020 (to minimise any interest applicable).
As the deadline is fast approaching, and to help members, the BMA has produced a template letter, to be submitted alongside the scheme pays election form. You will then need to complete the 2019/20 Annual Allowance Charge Compensation Policy Form. Find more information on how to apply, as well as resources for employers, FAQs and infographics, on the NHSE/I website.
Read more in this update from the BMA’s Pensions Committee and the guidance on annual allowance repayment scheme on the BMA website.
Referrals to Children’s social care: Due to the extreme pressures that GPs are under children’s social care for the next 3 months are happy to take referrals by phone and complete the EHA form for the GP whilst on the call, full details here.
GP Safehouse: We are pleased to report that the technical issues are now resolved and the site is back and fully functioning.
Big Tent: The Children & Young People (CYP) Mental Health team are working on a programme called Somerset Big Tent, which is a VCSE alliance to improve the access into mental health and emotional wellbeing services for children and young people in Somerset; more information on their website, contact details NikHarwood@youngsomerset.org.uk
And Finally...
Suppliers of scotch eggs have reported a ten-fold increase in demand after the bar snack became the focus of the government’s ‘substantial meal’ regulations.
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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