Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 23rd April 2021
Date sent: Friday 23 April 2021
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- Flu vaccination programme 2021/22
- Primary Care Matters Newsletter - April Version
- Guidance for women who are pregnant
- QOF declaration 2020/21
- Devon Doctors Needs You!
- Linked Professional Approach Lists
- Co-Prescription in UTI From Devon Doc
- Call to stop GMC Appealing Tribunal Decision
- Ardens EMIS Update Meeting for Somerset Practices
- The Big Tent
- Somerset Training Hub Lunchtime Webinar
- Interested in helping Medical Students in small group learning?
- Extended Deadline - Final call for Expressions of Interest for the GP Assistant (GPA) Programme - Phase Two
Flu vaccination programme 2021/22: We have now received confirmation from NHSEI that there will not be central procurement of flu vaccine for the coming year’s scheme, but the at-risk group will be extended as it was this year. Practices should therefore, where this is possible due to the late notice, take this into account when placing orders. The annual flu reimbursement letter was updated on 1 April and confirmed that those aged 50-64 year old will be included in the 21/22 flu programme and also confirmed the inclusion of a QIVr vaccine (Supemtek).
Guidance for women who are pregnant: Including those planning a pregnancy, those who are immediately post-partum, or are breast feeding and Covid-19 vaccination came out last week. A letter describing that advice can be found here. To help aid discussions with women, the obstetric and midwifery teams have been directing women to the really helpful information leaflet and information page on the RCOG website. You may also find it helpful to direct them to this link.
QOF declaration 2020/21: To help support the calculation process for QOF 2020/21 the CCG would like all practices to submit a screen shot of Population Manager which shows the total points for Clinical Indicators and Public Health Indicators, please click on the link for the view that is required. Please submit the screen shot or figures to somccg.generalpractice@nhs.net
Linked Professional Approach Lists: Colleagues have shown concern about the lists of children with an LPA sent to them by Children’s Services during the pandemic offering contact from the named link worker. Unfortunately the council is not updated when families move around and so many have reported the lists being out of date. In these cases it is wise to let the CCG Safeguarding team know. Another matter that has arisen is when no link worker has been in touch, the practice has tried to find out who it is from Somerset Direct and been asked to fill in an EHA form. We are grateful to Dr Jo Nicholl Safeguarding Lead for the following:
Clarity about when to use the EHA form:
If you have safeguarding concerns about a child you can find out if they have a case open to children’s social care and the name of their social worker by ringing Somerset Direct. You need to explain why you are requesting this information but you DO NOT NEED TO COMPLETE AN EHA FORM. This has been confirmed by Claire Winter the Deputy Director of Children’s Services at Somerset County Council. If you need to go on and have a more detailed conversation with a SW you can do this over the phone. However if you are informing them of further safeguarding concerns you probably will need to complete an EHA, assuming they are not already on a child protection plan. If there is a recent EHA that has already been completed (even if by another agency) you can add to this rather than writing the whole thing out again but make it obvious what information is new e.g. by using a different font and making it clear if you are requesting a step up to level 4.
Remember that until the end of May if you have child protection concerns that meet level 4 criteria you can phone CSC phone and they will complete the child protection referral with you (using the EHA): this has been agreed to support GPs during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Co-Prescription in UTI From Devon Docs: Pharmacist Lead Shan Janeef. When prescribing nitrofurantoin for uncomplicated UTI it is best to advise patients to avoid taking any OTC sachets for cystitis as they can inhibit the action of the drug and cause subsequent worsening of symptoms. If self-care is recommended in cases with mild symptoms then the use of simple analgesia and maintaining adequate hydration are advised. NICE [2019] make it explicit that there is no evidence to support the use of cranberry products and urine alkalinising agents in treatment of lower UTI in females and that they could cause real problems if prescribed concurrently with nitrofurantoin.
“Alkalisation agents [such as potassium citrate] — the antibacterial activity of nitrofurantoin is reduced when the pH of the urine is increased.”
Also recall that nitrofurantoin may be ineffective where the patient has impaired renal function because renal elimination can be reduced to prevent the drug reaching bactericidal concentration in the urine.
Call to stop GMC Appealing Tribunal Decision: 13 healthcare organisations, including the BMA and five royal colleges, are calling on HMG to stop the GMC being able to appeal decisions by medical practitioners’ tribunals. The government agreed in 2018 that the power, which duplicates similar powers held by the Professional Standards Authority, should be scrapped. Its abolition is included in draft legislation reforming HCP regulation now out for consultation. The healthcare bodies have told Matt Hancock that the move is urgent and should be made now by including it in the forthcoming Health & Social Care Bill.
Ardens EMIS Update Meeting for Somerset Practices: We will be holding webinar on Thursday 29th April at 7pm to discuss updates and new developments of the Ardens resources. Please book your space here. It will include:
- Discussion on the changes to QOF 2021/22 and the Ardens resources to manage these requirements
- Discussion on the new Ardens Templates to support national contract requirements and best practice
- Overview of the updated searches included in the Ardens Reporting suite (COVID vaccination, QOF related searches, Case Finder searches, Childhood Imms call/recall)
- Cancer Safety Netting Tools
Please note the webinar will be recorded, to be accessed at a later date and to share with colleagues.
The Big Tent: The Somerset Big Tent a Voluntary Community Social Enterprise alliance of emotional wellbeing and mental health providers for children and young people aged 8-18 within Somerset operating under a quality and safety assurance process. Funded by CCG and facilitated by Young Somerset,. For further details please e mail charlottejohnson@youngsomerset.org.uk
The Big Tent’s Principles and Values:
- Create the best local solutions to meet children and young people’s needs in Somerset.
- Ensure services meet qualitative measures.
- Enable a ‘no wrong door’ process for the mental health and emotional wellbeing of Somerset’s children and young people.
- Children and young people access the right help, at the right time.
- Work collaboratively.
- Build awareness.
Somerset Training Hub Lunchtime Webinar: Ten Ways PCNs Can Be Successful Learning and Training Organisations.
A PCN's best asset is its workforce. Developing that workforce can therefore really make a difference to a PCN's progress and achievements. This webinar will provide practical ideas, top tips, advice and resources about how a PCN that can support their workforce with:
- Keeping up to date, learning new skills and doing things differently
- Learning together as teams, across professions, and across different local organisations
- Career development and fulfilment
- Protecting emotional wellbeing
- Making the most of Quality Improvement methods and Digital First
- Developing of talent and leadership
- Successful programmes of recruitment, retention and training
See here for more information and to book a place.
Interested in helping Medical Students in small group learning?: The Peninsula Medical School wants working doctors interested in medical education to facilitate small group learning. Expansion of intake and new sites in Taunton and Torbay give rise to these new posts helping Jigsaw & Small Groups (exploring clinical experiences focussing on human sciences and professionalism) and Enquiry Based Learning Groups (EBL) (using cases to explore wider aspects of learning). Candidates should be prepared to contribute to assessment, curriculum development and quality assurance. An experience of teaching is essential and experience of small group work is desirable. Induction and annual in-service training will be provided. The job description and application form are on the University website: Clinical Small Group Facilitator (Medicine) – Job Reference Number A7777.
For informal enquiries, please contact rachel.leyland@plymouth.ac.uk (Jigsaw & Small Groups) or kerry.gilbert@plymouth.ac.uk (EBL). The closing date is Sunday 9th May.
Extended Deadline - Final call for Expressions of Interest for the GP Assistant (GPA) Programme - Phase Two: Following the update item on 12th March 2021 there is still an opportunity for practices in Somerset to be a part of the GP Assistant Programme (GPA) Phase 2 roll out. This is a 9 month (approx.) programme designed to upskill HCAs and Reception/Administration staff to work in a specific support role to help relieve pressure on GPs.
Devon Training Hub are leading the roll out across the South West Region. Please find below 3 documents that explain what the programme entails, an FAQ sheet and an application form for potential candidates to express an interest.
GP Assistant Programme
GP Assistant FAQs
GP Assistant Application Form
Please can you bring this to the attention of your GPs and any staff that may be interested in the role and encourage them to apply if appropriate. All enquiries to andy.smallshaw@nhs.net
Closing date has been extended to 30th April 2021.
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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