Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 19th March 2021
Date sent: Friday 19 March 2021
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- Somerset LMC, Training Hub & SGPET
- REMINDER - End of Year QOF 2019/20 actions and participation in the 2020/21 scheme
- Letter to Nursing Team from Paula Messenger LMC Nurse Advisor - Covid 19 crisis one year on
- Patients ordering PCR tests without symptoms
- CV19 Testing for Professionals Visiting Care Homes
- Covid-19 Assisted Lateral Flow Device test results to GP records
- Locum income support
- School absence note requests
- RCN statement on cervical cytology sample taking for Nursing Associates and funding for PCN Data Champions
- Good News on Safeguarding
- NHS Pension Scheme Webinar for Sessional GPs and Locums
- DNA 6 Week Check
- Somerset Maternity Toolkit
Somerset LMC, Training Hub & SGPET: These three intersecting organisations have led the way on joint working to help support, develop and educate all involved in general practice in Somerset. The last year has been challenging in ways that no one could have foretold. The year ahead, which we profoundly hope will be better, will nevertheless bring further changes. The White Paper and the consequent new NHS Bill will make fundamental differences to the way primary care is organised as part of the Integrated Care System. Some of the good experience of PCN working on the Vaccination programme and the expansion of Allied Health Professionals will be built upon. But there will be challenges, not least in the ever growing reach of regulation. Representatives of the three organisations met this week to consider the future and decided to devise a plan for even closer joint working for the benefit of patients and general practice within the healthcare system as a whole. All pledged to keep you informed of progress towards a joint strategy to be ready by September.
REMINDER - End of Year QOF 2019/20 actions and participation in the 2020/21 scheme: The CCG sent out earlier this week via the Primary Care Update the guidance for the QOF 19/20 year end process which included a year-end checklist, Full manual entry guide and FAQ’s. It also has information on the Income Protected Indicators and the notification of QOF 2021/22 service which is available on CQRS to accept participation, this needs to be completed by Friday 26 March 2021.
Patients ordering PCR tests without symptoms: Patients are now able to order a PCR test without having any symptoms, and the COVID-19 PCR test booking webpage includes an additional reason for getting a test, to make it easier for patients to book a test when recommended by a GP.
This aims to support patients in accessing testing where they have been instructed to by a GP, no matter what their symptoms are. No referral is required to book a test under this option.
CV19 Testing for Professionals Visiting Care Homes: Government regulations now require care homes to see proof of a negative COVID test within the last 72 hours Testing for professionals visiting care homes - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Proof may include:
- an email or text from NHS Test and Trace
- a screenshot of where the professional has to upload their test result
- a date-stamped photo of the test cartridge itself
- signed confirmation from their manager
- the NHS signed log included with the test kits provided to NHS staff
If no proof is available care homes are directed to offer a LFT or deny entry. Readers will be pleased to hear that 999 paramedics are exempt from these regulations.
Covid-19 Assisted Lateral Flow Device test results to GP records: Positive assisted lateral flow device (LFD) test results will shortly be sent to GP records, including historic results (assisted refers to LFD test results being interpreted and reported by a trained operative at a test site).
This does not apply to LFD tests which are self-administered, interpreted and reported by the individual, such as those primary care staff are regularly undertaking twice weekly. Negative and void assisted LFD tests and all unassisted tests will not flow to GP records.
There is no action for practices following receipt of these LFD results and no need for GP practices to report them to PHE as a notifiable disease.
Locum income support: The recent budget announcement included an extension of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) to provide self-employed individuals with a grant (up to a total of £7,500) to cover lost earnings due to COVID-19 through February, March and April of this year. If you’ve been operating as a locum during this time and have seen your income impacted by the pandemic you may be eligible for this grant. Applications will open in April. To check your eligibility, the full list of criteria and details on how to apply is available on the gov.uk website
School absence note requests: The Department for Education has published operational guidance for reopening schools reminding schools they should not encourage parents to request unnecessary medical evidence i.e. doctors’ notes from their GP when their child is absent from school due to illness.
Parents can use other evidence such as prescriptions, appointment cards, text/email appointment confirmations and input from GPs should only be sought for complex health needs or persistent absence.
The guidance also confirms the procedure for CEV children and for those absent from school due to COVID-19 and self-isolation.
RCN statement on cervical cytology sample taking for Nursing Associates and funding for PCN Data Champions: This document shows how Nursing Associates can safely undertake cervical cytology sample taking in practice, and an offer from the Academic Health Science Networks to pay for a Data Champion (1 session per week) in a PCN.
Good News on Safeguarding: Dr Jo Nicholl the named GP for Safeguarding negotiated with children’s social care for GPs to ring through referrals rather than having to complete an EHA form. This concession was due to come to an end on 31st March. However in view of the ongoing pressures in primary care they have agreed that this can continue until the end of June. There is also a plan to review the processes for the future. We are sure colleagues will be delighted to hear this news and wish Dr Nicholl well in her discussions.
NHS Pension Scheme Webinar for Sessional GPs and Locums: The BMA’s Sessional GPs Committee recently held a webinar about navigating through the NHS Pension scheme, to guide through the process and highlight the key things you need to know and do.
You can now watch the webinar here to learn about Locum A and B forms, Type 2 forms, how to access PCSE, how to raise complaints and how to raise escalations amongst other key topics. We also provide practical advice.
DNA 6 Week Check: A recent review of child deaths in Somerset led to the conclusion that a baby not being brought for its 6 week check could be a red flag and even be associated with subsequent child death. In view of this the CCG has updated its “Child Was Not Brought” SOP to emphasise the point. Practices may adopt it if they feel it would improve on existing policies.
Somerset Maternity Toolkit: We have been asked to publicise activity to improve health and reduce inequality in maternity by promoting the Somerset digital offer and efforts to increase the Somerset uptake of the national healthy start scheme.
Somerset Maternity Toolkit: Somerset children & young people : Health & Wellbeing : New Home (cypsomersethealth.org)
Also hosted on the toolkit, a series of antenatal and parenting animations: Somerset children & young people : Health & Wellbeing : Digital Support Animations (cypsomersethealth.org)
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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