Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 19th August 2022
Date sent: Friday 19 August 2022
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- GPC Action Over Practice Incomes
- COVID Clinical Assessment Service (CCAS)
- Patient Lists
- Seasonal Influenza Specifications 2022/23 and Sign Up
- Message from Somerset NHS FT; Endocrinology A&G Service
- Primary Care Network District Nursing Hubs & Spokes Contacts and T-Quest Requests
- Serum Samples in Warm Weather (message from the Lab)
- ECP Employer Guidance
- Parental Workshops Save the Dates
- Job Vacancies
GPC Action Over Practice Incomes: If you have used the inflation impact calculator in the previous weeks update item you will know just how big this could be. The GPC is pressing the government to change its position on the current 2% annual increase and to support this they are keen to get a feel for what pay rise practices are planning to offer non-AFC staff. Please could you complete this one question survey by Friday 2nd September if you have decided on a figure (or range of figures) so we can pass on an estimated number for the county. This information will, of course, not be shared and will only be used to produce a confidential estimate for the GPC.
COVID Clinical Assessment Service (CCAS): We have been made aware of some patients referred and booked by NHS 111 where the patient is able to arrive at the practice and check themselves in on the screens, this is due to the way the appointments have been set up. Patients are told to wait for their GP practice to call them and NOT to go to the practice. This link details the process for setting up your CCAS appointments to ensure they are not set up as a self-check-in.
Patient Lists: NHSE/I has asked PCSE to recommence data quality checks on GP practice patients lists, this includes a reconciliation of practice patients lists. This work was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic but started again on Monday 1 August 2022. Copies of the communication circulated to practices can be found here: Patient list reconciliation and Patient list maintenance. GPC requested a further delay to ensure there was no bureaucratic burden on practices which NHSE/I declined, we are hopeful that it will only affect a small proportion of practices nationally.
Seasonal Influenza Specifications 2022/23 and Sign Up: The seasonal influenza enhanced service specifications were released on Wednesday, please click link to our website. There is a deadline for sign up on CQRS by 31 August.
Message from Somerset NHS FT; Endocrinology A&G Service: Due to staff sickness, there will be no Endocrinology A&G service at Somerset NHS FT from 22-28 August. Please consider submitting your query after this time to help manage workload and minimise delays. It is likely that replies will be delayed for 2-3 weeks whilst the team catch’s up. If your query is urgent, please do contact endocrinesecretaries@somersetft.nhs.uk who will be able to direct it appropriately.
Primary Care Network District Nursing Hubs & Spokes Contacts and T-Quest Requests: The District Nursing hubs now have a number of new admin staff and are ensuring that that everyone who works in the hub knows the correct process for T-Quest requests, they have put together a guide for new staff which practices may also fund useful and shared a contact list of all the primary care hubs.
Serum Samples in Warm Weather (message from the Lab): Practices no longer need to carry on centrifuging samples as the heatwave has now past. If we do get another spell up towards or over 30 degrees, centrifuging should restart.
ECP Employer Guidance: Please note that this is a level of practice and not a specific role. What is “new”, is that the ECP Apprenticeship will become a new training and educational route to facilitate individuals to develop enhanced skillsets and access enhanced roles in a new way. While universities do not currently have specific courses, practices may find the information useful for their workforce planning.
Parental Workshops save the dates Surrey and Sussex LMC, Gloucestershire LMC and Somerset LMC are working together to develop a series of FREE workshops to support your successful transition from Maternity and Parental leave to the workplace over an 18-24 month period, this will also include a session for practice managers covering contractual and employment guidance, please find draft flyer here, we hope to be sending full details with booking in early September. All workshops will be virtual.
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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