Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 27th May 2022
Date sent: Friday 27 May 2022
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- Somerset General Practice Provider Board Update from Dr Berge Balian Chairman
- Somerset General Practice Provider Board Terms of Reference
- Somerset Community Pain Management Service Pathway Change
- Delayed Contractual Changes for Deceased Patient Records
- Improvements to Benefit Eligibility at the End of Life
- Somerset GP Community Pharmacy Consultation Service Toolkit
- CPI Modeller for GP Pension Scheme
- Group GP Coaching Maternity Course
- My Planned Care Website
- GPN Career Plus
- Navigating the GP Tier 2 Sponsorship Process Webinar
- Update on Laboratory Supply Issues for Ferritin Reagent
- Oramorph
- And Finally...
- Job Vacancies
Somerset Community Pain Management Service Pathway Change: This service has developed a new pathway, incorporating pain education. The first appointment will be an introductory session (1hr 45 min) in a group format via Microsoft Teams. Patients can choose to have their video on and be muted/unmuted. Patients can then opt into a number of options including a variety of pain management programmes, E-learning or 1 to 1 appointment. For those patients that do not have access to this format or would not be unsuitable (eg language difficulties, Learning Disabilities, high level of psychological distress), please highlight this in your referral letter so that a 1 to 1 appointment can be triaged.
Delayed Contractual Changes for Deceased Patient Records: NHSE/I have confirmed that the contractual changes for the management of deceased patient records have yet to take effect. This is due to required legislative and system changes remaining outstanding and means that practices should continue printing and sending the full records to PCSE until NHSE/I notifies the profession otherwise. PCSE will also retain the obligation to process AHRA requests it receives directly until that time.
Improvements to Benefit Eligibility at the End of Life: On Monday 4 April 2022, eligibility for the Special Rules changed. This means that individuals can make a fast-tracked claim to two working age benefits if they have an estimated 12 months or less to live. To support people accessing these benefits and to find out more about the new process and medical evidence form, DWP have published this guidance.
CPI Modeller for GP Pension Scheme: The recent soaring rate of inflation will have significant tax implications for some GP's pensions. Use the BMA CPI modeller to see how it may impact you.
Group GP Coaching Maternity Course: This is a fantastic opportunity for a last minute place on an SGPET/TH funded 5 week course designed to support GPs returning to work after maternity leave. It is ran by Frances Cushway www.thematernitycoach.co.uk further course details here. The closing date is the 1st June. This is a group online course held weekly on a Tues 10-11 am from 7th June to 5th July. To book your place please contact Emma on hello@thematernitycoach.co.uk. There are a total of 5 funded places available for Somerset and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis
The My Planned Care website supports people waiting for a hospital appointment, operation or treatment, and gives them advice and support while they wait. This includes access to average waiting times at their hospital and other useful advice. This maybe useful for practice websites and facebook pages.
GPN Career Plus: We all know that working in general practice can be enormously challenging, often feeling overwhelming, leading to many leaving for long periods or retiring early. Opportunities to chat with colleagues, unwind and share ways of overcoming the challenges we face have become harder to find. GPN Career Plus aims to help redress the balance through 12 remunerated facilitated sessions of peer support groups. If you have GPNs/Nurse Practitioners in your team who you think could benefit from GPN career plus, or as a GPN/NP you feel you may benefit from this, check out the flyer for GPN Career Plus. The next course is due to start on 19th October 2022.
Navigating the GP Tier 2 Sponsorship Process Webinar: The BMA has partnered with legal firm Magrath Sheldrick, who oversee our immigration advice service, to develop a webinar on navigating the GP sponsorship process. The webinar is aimed at GP employers and offers practical tips on how to navigate the current sponsorship process to recruit non-UK nationals and addresses frequently asked questions on the process itself. If you have any questions, or would like to share your experiences of navigating the sponsorship process, please contact Caroline Strickland, Senior Policy Advisor, International Affairs (cstrickland@bma.org.uk). More information about certificate of sponsorship is available here. Recent surveys have shown that these visas are in high demand in Somerset and we hope that all practices join to be a Tier 2 Sponsor, which the CCG have offered to fund.
Update on Laboratory Supply Issues for Ferritin Reagent: The lab are continuing to receive good supplies of Ferritin reagent. Clinicians will no longer be required to provide additional information to complete Ferritin requests on T-Quest.
Oramorph: This is a useful poster from the CCG supporting reducing/switching/stopping oramorph. 300 mls of oramorph is equivalent to 600 ml of beer and 18 teaspoons of sugar, which has implications for diabetic patients and those who wish to refrain from alcohol.
And Finally...
Green & Healthy Futures 15th July at the Cheese & Grain in Frome: Frome Medical Practice in Partnership with Edventure: Frome, Frome Town Council and Funded by the National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund, have organised this conference which will showcase the challenges and successes we have faced in tackling these issues together and help provide a blueprint for other communities to replicate.
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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