Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 8th April 2022
Date sent: Friday 8 April 2022
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- 2022/23 for the Network Contract DES
- Who Can Get a Free NHS COVID-19 Test
- Gender Incongruence in Primary Care and Statement on Commissioning
- Gender Identity Toolkit
- Global Manufacturer Raw Material Issues Affecting Test Reagents – Update for Ferritin, Transferrin and IgA
- Ardens Starter and Ardens Manager (3 year Licence)
- Invite to the South West Practice Nursing Celebration and Awards 27th April
- SGPET Membership
- Calling All Prescribing Leads
- GP Recruitment Event 11th May at Taunton Racecourse
- Job Vacancies
2022/23 for the Network Contract DES. We have all now received the contract specifications, whilst some elements were unwelcome, there seems to be enough flexibility in the contract to allow for a workable solution. The contract does not ask for all practices to be open on Saturdays, nor does it ask for GPs to provide all of the appointments outside of core hours. We have a unique agreement in Somerset for enhanced access which came about due to the good working relationship between the LMC and the CCG and we are confident that we can work together again to find a resilient offer for our GP staff and our patients. We will update you on this shortly. Practices may wish to defer making a decision on opting out of the PCN DES until an outline workable solution for Somerset is presented; the deadline for opting out is 30th April.
Who Can Get a Free NHS COVID-19 Test: If you work in the NHS or in social care - You are eligible for free tests if you're:
- NHS patient-facing staff
- staff who deliver NHS services through an independent healthcare provider, and have direct contact with NHS patients
- a social worker
- a personal assistant (directly employed support worker)
- a Shared Lives carer
- and of course a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspector!
Gender Incongruence in Primary Care and Statement on Commissioning: The updated Gender incongruence in primary care (England) was published on Friday 1st April alongside the statement on commissioning GIC services (both led on by GPC Clinical and Prescribing policy group).
The Ethical guidance Inclusive care of trans and non-binary patients has also been published, and both the Ethical guidance, GP guidance and statement on commissioning currently appear on the BMA website homepage.
Gender Identity Toolkit: The toolkit has been produced in collaboration between the Institute of General Practice Management, Indigo Gender Service, Practice Index and Pride in Practice. It is designed to support the knowledge and confidence of general practice teams providing inclusive and equitable care to trans and non-binary patients. The barriers trans and non-binary patients face range from direct discrimination to supportive healthcare professionals lacking the knowledge or confidence to provide appropriate care. Concurrently, the number of openly trans and non-binary patients seeking gender-affirming care from their GP and other healthcare professionals is increasing. The Gender Identity Toolkit is a practicable resource to improve the availability of inclusive and equitable care for trans and non-binary patients at a crucial moment.
The LMC hope that this guidance document is adopted by the BMA.
Global Manufacturer Raw Material Issues Affecting Test Reagents – Update for Ferritin, Transferrin and IgA: Fortunately supply issues are looking likely to resolve by the end of April. Transferrin saturations restrictions have been removed. Until ferritin supplies normalise we are advised to only order if necessary such as 2WW colorectal referrals for Iron Deficiency Anaemia. For a ferritin to be processed, the reason will need to be added to the order comm. RCPath guidance on minimum retesting intervals (2021), recommends that in most cases ferritin does not need repeating within 3 months. Availability of IgA is very low, but if thought to be necessary please email Duty.Biochemist@SomersetFT.nhs.uk to discuss.
Ardens Starter and Ardens Manager (3 year Licence): We are pleased to confirm that Somerset CCG have renewed all Ardens Starter licences for another 3 years. They have also purchased Ardens Manager National Contract dashboards for all practices and PCNs to track and monitor activity for the Network Contract DES, QOF, SMI Health Checks and NHS Health Checks. This is part of the CCG’s support for practices to deal with backlogs in LTC care and return to the usual high level of performance that Somerset has traditionally had. Ardens will be sending some further information on how to get setup on Ardens Manager shortly. For further information please see: https://ardensmanager.com/
SGPET Membership: Colleagues will be aware that we are in a new membership year, if you are planning to re-join the Trust can we ask that the completed forms are returned to the team as soon as possible as we are getting calls from your members of staff trying to book on events when they are not yet members, and therefore will incur a charge.
Calling All Prescribing Leads: Somerset LMC are looking for a GP representative who is able to attend the PAMM (Prescribing and Medicines Management Team) meetings to ensure that the views of General Practice are shared and heard clearly. These are held on Teams once a month on a Wednesday morning. For further details please do email our Deputy Medical Director Dr Catherine Ievers catherine.ievers1@nhs.net.
GP Recruitment Event 11th May at Taunton Racecourse: Our latest popular GP recruitment event will be held from 2pm on Wednesday 11th May as a face to face meeting. This event will give GPs and GP trainees the chance to meet and talk to a wide variety of Somerset practices in one place. If you are GP or GP trainee looking for a job in Somerset please book here. Somerset practices can book their table to advertise their vacancy here. Registration and participation is free. Please book your place by Friday 22nd April.
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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