Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 11th March 2022
Date sent: Friday 11 March 2022
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- GP Contract 22/23 – Guidance for Practices
- Safe Working in General Practice
- QOF Payments Linked to the Childhood Vaccination and Immunisation Program
- Online Death Certification: Volunteer request from Dr Steve Gardiner
- Open Mental Health (OMH) is Not for Somerset Talking Therapies Referrals
- Retirement Celebration
- Job Vacancies
GP Contract 22/23 – Guidance for Practices: Please Read GPC guidance about the contract changes to support practices in their decision making and next steps.
Safe Working in General Practice: GPCE has published a safe working guide to enable practices to prioritise safe patient care, within the present bounds of the GMS contract. Present resource in general practice is finite, though we must continue to deliver high quality, safe care to our patients. As a result of resource decisions by practices, it may be the case that some patients will regrettably wait longer to access GP care for their non-urgent problems, or are directed to another more appropriate provider.
QOF Payments Linked to the Childhood Vaccination and Immunisation Program: The GPC have confirmed that NHSEI have refused to re-negotiate the QOF payments linked to the childhood vaccination and immunisation program. Currently, this QOF payment is only triggered by full achievement of the target, with no tapering payments, and no ability to exempt patients. The LMC therefore advises practices to look in detail at their projected achievement under this QOF domain for 2021-22, as some practices may find that they have provided the service optimally in the past year, but will not receive any of the QOF income associated with the domain. Practices in this situation will need to consider the viability of providing this service in future years.
Online Death Certification: Volunteer request from Dr Steve Gardiner: Colleagues will be aware that death certification is moving online soon. NHSBA are looking for a range of GPs to test the new system and gauge opinion to aid its development. They are looking at the IT functionality only, it takes about 15 mins. This is not paid but it is the chance to be involved in the development of something all GPs will all be using. If you are interested to be a volunteer please e mail stephen.gardiner2@nhs.net.
Open Mental Health (OMH) is Not for Somerset Talking Therapies Referrals: The OMH service is seeing many referrals from practices for Talking Therapies (TT) support. We have been asked to remind you that all such referrals should be made directly to TT. The OMH service is using scarce resources in triaging and worry that, in addition, not referring to TT directly could add further delay to patients getting the support they need. Referrals to TT can be made using the email addresses below.
sttsbridgwater@somersetft.nhs.uk
sttswells@somersetft.nhs.uk
sttstaunton@somersetft.nhs.uk
sttschard@somersetft.nhs.uk
Retirement Celebration: You will no doubt have heard that Dr Martyn Hughes retired from his role as Clinical Lead for Somerset Training Hub at the end of January 2022, after a long and distinguished career in primary care partnership and education and Training.
We are holding a celebration for Martyn at Taunton Racecourse (Paddock Room) on Friday 29 April between 6.30pm and 9.30pm. There will be fizz and food, so please do drop in or spend the evening and celebrate with Martyn and other colleagues. Please contact the office at lmc.office@nhs.net if you wish to attend.
This link will open an e-card if you would like to send a message to Martyn, if you know someone who would like to sign the card please forward onto them. If you would like to contribute towards a gift for Martyn please contact Mandy at the LMC on amason1@nhs.net.
We hope you will be able to join us.
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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