Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 11th February 2022
Date sent: Friday 11 February 2022
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- Antivaxxer Legal Papers “Served” on Practices
- GP Win10 Upgrade No Unsupported Software
- Flu Data Direct from NIVS (National Immunisation & Vaccination System)
- Some Rationalisation of 2WW Colorectal Bloods
- UKHSA SW Press Release - Around 1:10 Children Starting School in the Region at Risk of Measles
- After Lockdown Child Mental Health Problems
- NHSEi PCN and Practice Manager Development Survey and Teams Workshop Events
- Job Vacancies
- Top Tips...
- Vaccinations & Immunisations - QOF
Antivaxxer Legal Papers “Served” on Practices: Last week there were reports from across England of so-called legal papers being disseminated to be served on staff members from Lois Bayliss of Broad Yorkshire Law. These call on anyone involved in Covid vaccination administration in any way to demand that they should at once write to everyone from the LMC to Mr Javid requesting the “experimental” MVP be cancelled because the vaccinations subject to police investigation. Failure to do so, the papers continue, could render just about everybody to liability and potential legal action for damages. The good GMC principle of “first do no harm” is invoked although, less convincingly, apparently stated to be in an oath that we have all “signed” (presumably that of Hippocrates?). Informed consent cannot be obtained it is alleged because of the unlawful suppression of other, safer treatments (Ivermectin perhaps?) and there is also an argument about variation of doses between different vials of vaccine. There are reports that these papers have been “served” on staff in a theatrical way with “witnesses” being present and the process filmed as “evidence.” Whatever humanitarian motivation these people may claim this behaviour is clearly intended to intimidate. Ms Bayliss asks at the end of the second page that the lucky recipient contact her to confirm that the demanded action has been taken. You are under no legal obligation to do any such thing. The police investigation referred to (with its Crime Number) is just that: “substantial evidence” has been submitted to Police in London (Hammersmith CID) for review. As with any medication or vaccine it is entirely possible that, in time, the risks and benefits of the Covid vaccines will be reviewed and the balance may shift towards the consideration of individual or mass actions for damages. If that happens it will not proceed in a histrionic and prejudiced manner. See this helpful response from the National Vaccination Operations Centre
The LMC has also learned that the Solicitors Regulation Agency has told Reuters news agency, “We have received reports of potential misconduct, so are aware of this situation,…“We are gathering all relevant information before deciding on any next steps.”
GP Win10 Upgrade No Unsupported Software: Since July 2019 NHS Somerset CCG and SCW have been working to improve the security of general practice digital infrastructure by removing unsupported software from the NHS Network.
After a two year grace period the SCW Security Team has advised that unsupported software and systems such as Windows 7 now present an increased security risk to the NHS Network and should be disabled/removed from the network (all practices have been upgraded to Windows 10). All devices currently known to be unsafe will be disabled/removed from the network on 15 February.
VERY IMPORTANT: Practices with any hardware and software not provided through SCWCSU must ensure their third-party supplier is maintaining and updating accordingly with security patches. If identified as unsafe these devices/software will be disabled/removed from the NHS network immediately on being found to be a security risk. Any queries please log a call on TopDesk with the GP IT team.
Flu Data Direct from NIVS (National Immunisation & Vaccination System): Practices should now be receiving data for Flu given in the school programme directly from NIVS. This data is usually auto ingested into the child's clinical record, EMIS practices should check that their clinical system is set up to allow auto-filing for this data to flow. The EMIS support desk can help with this and practices should report any lack of data to ssd.nationalservicedesk@nhs.net. CHIS can also check individual records and investigate missing data with the SAINTS team.
Some Rationalisation of 2WW Colorectal Bloods: After hard lobbying on your behalf by the LMC, led by deputy medical director Dr Catherine Ievers, you will pleased to hear that the colorectal form was updated on Tuesday to allow bloods taken within the last 12 weeks to be accepted and the “mandatory” blood tests to be now only FBC, U&E and eGFR. This will apply to both SFT and YDH. Discussions in other fields where GPs have expressed frustration is carrying on.
UKHSA SW Press Release - Around 1:10 Children Starting School in the Region at Risk of Measles: Somerset County Public Health has reminded us that there is a national campaign to improve MMR uptake including advising parents uncertain of their child’s vaccination history to contact their practice to make sure. One concern is that a survey of parents showed that a significant proportion was unaware of the potentially serious complications of measles.
After Lockdown Child Mental Health Problems: 409,347 under-18s were referred to the NHS in England for specialist care for issues such as suicidal thoughts and self-harm between April and October 2021. Head teachers also report a huge rise in less severe mental health issues. The government plans 400 mental health teams to support schools by 2023. The NHSD referrals data analysed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists for the BBC, includes the most serious and urgent cases where the child faces an immediate risk from an eating disorder, self-harm or suicidal thoughts. In the same six month period in 2019 there were 230,591 referrals for under-18s. There were 349,449 under-18s in touch with NHS [CAHMS] at the end of October 2021, the highest number on record (BBC News).
NHSEi PCN and Practice Manager Development Survey and Teams Workshop Events: NHSEi are looking for individuals to help them plan a national Primary Care Managers Development Programme, they are holding various events over the coming months details here and here if you would like to share any insights into specific training needs they are conducting a survey which closes on the 27th Feb.
Top Tips....
Can be found here. New item this week is:
- Vaccinations & Immunisations - QOF
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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