Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 23rd July 2021
Date sent: Friday 23 July 2021
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- Primary Care Matters Newsletter - June/July 2021
- GPDPR
- GPC Survey on PCSE Portal
- Podiatry Service Update from SFT
- Everyone is welcome
- GPC Posters for practices
- Going on or returning on parental leave? Worried about returning to work?
- Non Site Specific Rapid Diagnostic Service (NSS-RDS)
- Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES)
- General Practice Job Vacancies
- And Finally...
GPDPR: Delayed again from 1st September until there is...
- The ability for patients to opt out with data deletion or back in to sharing their GP data with NHS Digital.
- A Trusted Research Environment where approved researchers can work securely on “de-identified“ patient data which does not leave the environment, offering further protections and privacy while enabling collaboration amongst trusted researchers to benefit patients.
- A campaign of engagement and communication to increase public awareness of the programme, explaining how data is used and patients’ choices.
There is no date yet set by when these criteria will be satisfied. The LMC view remains that the data on GP systems is an unparalleled resource for research which should be unlocked. We note that “de-identified” is not necessarily the same as “anonymised” but that, rightly or wrongly, the NHS number has been accepted until now as “pseudo-anonymisation” WITHIN the NHS. Those involved in discussions had confidence in our local systems but also believed that, as Data Controllers, GPs had to be satisfied that patients had enough information to make a sound decision: practices do not have time to publicise this NHSD scheme. Full letter here.
GPC Survey on PCSE Portal: Following the launch on 1st June , the GPC and LMCs are aware that many GPs have been experiencing problems with the pensions part of the portal. This short survey aims to gather some further feedback from GPs in England on their experiences of accessing and using the new portal to manage their pensions administration, in order to work out the extent of any issues and to enable GPC to hold PCSE to account. Please note that this survey is not a forum for individual issues to be raised – these must be raised with PCSE directly. Get in contact with PCSE.
Podiatry Service Update from SFT: Due to unprecedented staffing shortages and rising acuity of patients, the Community Podiatry service has taken the difficult step of prioritising patient appointments for the highest risk patients only.
We have clinically reviewed all existing patients and will ensure that high risk (ulcerated or urgent nail surgery) patients will still be seen by the service, however, we will regrettably need to place all other patients on an open appointment. These patients will be provided with comprehensive support literature informing them about how to monitor their foot health for any signs of deterioration.
All new referrals will continue to be triaged on a daily basis. Please can we ask that full information is included in the referral form to make this process as efficient as possible. Support Video and referral form, the LMC understand that this is currently a paper referral form and have asked the Trust to adapt for EMIS which we hope will be available soon
Everyone is welcome: There is a new access card being distributed that supports traveling communities and those with no fixed abode in accessing Primary Care. The CCG have created a quick one page guide for Primary care.
GPC Posters for practices: There were a couple of typos in the posters issued by the GPC last week please find the corrected ones that you can download below.
Visiting your GP Digital Poster
GP Poster
Going on or returning on parental leave? Worried about returning to work?: If you would be interested in attending an Autumn morning working please complete this 30 second survey so that we can gauge interest. Closing date 20th August at 5:00pm.
Non Site Specific Rapid Diagnostic Service (NSS-RDS): SFT is hosting a pilot for referrals from Taunton PCNs from July 26th with the rest of Somerset planned to follow. This new service aims to diagnose cancers in patients from 18 with atypical presentations. Many will know the frustrating experience of suspecting something is seriously wrong, perhaps an underlying cancer, but the case does not fit any 2WW pathway. To ensure that other diagnoses have been excluded NSS- RDS will accept patients after “filter tests” (listed on the eRS form and in an Ordercomms RDS test group) are reviewed. The team includes an Oncologist, a GI Surgeon, two GPs (Rupert Sells of Taunton & Jeremy Imms of Yeovil) and two Clinical Nurse Specialists with other specialities involved as required. Consultations will be remote where appropriate to reduce the need for travel: if possible all investigations will be done during one hospital visit. Following assessment the patient will be referred on to the right specialist, cancer or otherwise, WITHOUT referring back to the GP. If no serious illness is found we will refer back with a summary and management advice. We hope that this will be a service valued by GPs that will improve cancer care in Somerset. The NSS-RDS phone number is 01823 343105 for any questions.
Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES): Over the last 12 months Somerset FT have been developing a new cauda equina syndrome pathway. This aims to offer faster and more responsive access for this patient group. The planned commencement date of the new pathway is Wednesday 4th August 2021 at 11am. Further information is due to be released closer to this time.
They would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete a short survey before Wednesday 4th August.
And Finally...
Football may not be coming home but Nursing is: For the very first time Nursing degrees will be available in Somerset which will be a huge opportunity for the system including our practices to “grow our own” full detail here
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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