Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 5th August 2022
Date sent: Friday 5 August 2022
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- Flu Vaccines
- Flu Vaccines 2022-23 Season - Additional Doses Available
- Group A Strep & Chickenpox
- Chronic Fatigue in Children and Long Covid
- IGPM Accreditation for Practice Managers
- GP Recruitment Event 7th September at Dillington House for GPs & GPST3s
- Job Vacancies
Flu Vaccines: The Department of Health has announced an extension of the cohorts for the 2022/23 flu programme to include 50–64-year-olds. Unlike in previous years, there will not be a central supply to cater for these extra patients, and instead NHSE/I will be looking at ‘local procurement’ routes.
There will be a phased introduction for the additional cohort, with 50–64-year-olds being eligible from October, when there is anticipated to be greater availability of vaccines for this group. Due to manufacturing processes and commissioning arrangements, some vaccines may only be available in limited quantities. Therefore, NHS England has recommended that orders are placed with more than one manufacturer to ensure providers receive sufficient stock.
GPC are continuing to discuss the practicalities of this with NHSE/I in order to minimise the disruption and additional workload that it may bring for practices. Read the NHSE/I flu vaccine reimbursement letter
Flu Vaccines 2022-23 Season - Additional Doses Available The Buying Group has been informed by MASTA that they are in a position to supply additional doses for the recently added 50-64 age cohort. If practices place orders as soon as possible they can include the additional doses within the September delivery allocation. Orders can be placed by emailing fluteam@masta.org and will be under the usual agreed Buying Group terms and will be confirmed on receipt. Sanofi also currently have a limited number of doses available to support your flu campaign and expansion of the Immunisation Programme. practices can order here.
Group A Strep & Chickenpox: We are grateful to our colleagues in Devon Doctors for their permission to share this reminder.
There has been a significant increase in cases of chickenpox, scarlet fever and associated invasive Group A Streptococcus [iGAS] within Devon. This has particularly been the case in nurseries and childcare settings, with multiple confirmed outbreaks. Health professionals should be reminded of the available guidance and the need to take the following actions if scarlet fever or other GAS presentations are suspected:
- Prescribe an appropriate treatment course of antibiotics promptly [and this should not await the results of any swabs taken].
- Advise exclusion from nursery / school / work for at least 24 hours after the commencement of appropriate antibiotic treatment.
- Consider taking a throat swab to assist with differential diagnosis [for example to differentiate scarlet fever from measles or rubella] if the patient is
(1) thought to be part of an outbreak or allergic to penicillin,
GAS can be resistant to non-penicillin options such as macrolides and clindamycin. Determining antimicrobial susceptibility will facilitate an appropriate treatment change if required.
(2) in regular contact with vulnerable individuals e.g. health and adult social care workers.
People who are vulnerable to invasive GAS include those who are immunocompromised, have comorbidities, women in the late stage of pregnancy, or those with skin diseases.
Chronic Fatigue in Children and Long Covid: These useful resources for GPs and other allied healthcare professionals managing children with chronic fatigue syndrome, ME and fatigue associated with long Covid, have been endorsed by our local paediatricians who run the paediatric ME/CFS clinic and the paediatric long covid clinic
IGPM Accreditation for Practice Managers: The Institute of General Practice Managers have launched their formal accreditation programme for managers in primary care. Anyone with a managerial role in general practice can apply for accreditation, with full details of eligibility available on the IGPM website. Associate members must apply to be assessed by an accreditation panel to obtain the level of Member of the Institute of General Practice Management.
GP Recruitment Event 7th September at Dillington House for GPs & GPST3s: Our latest popular GP recruitment event will be held from 4.30pm on Wednesday 7th September 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 book your place 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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