Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 21st October 2022
Date sent: Friday 21 October 2022
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- GP Practice Statistics for Social Media
- PCIS Uplift
- Postal Strikes and FITs from the Colorectal Hub
- Revised MIU Opening Times
- First Contact Physiotherapy GP Resources
- The SPS Primary Care Medicines Advice Service
- Covid Vaccination - Allergy Pathway
- Wanted! Critical Thinkers from GP Community
- Practice and PCN Finances and HR Considerations
- Job Vacancies
GP Practice Statistics for Social Media: Practices may wish to share these figures for August on social media channels and waiting room screens.
PCIS Uplift: You will have seen in the ICB GP bulletin item this week that there have been changes to the payments for PCIS. Following successful negotiation with the LMC, the ICB have increased the value of PCIS by 3% from 1 October to recognise increased costs that practices are experiencing. The total PCIS value is now £7.40 per weighted patient as the funding from improved access has moved across to the PCN DES payment for enhanced access. These changes will be reflected in the October payment run for GMS practices and the November payment run for PMS practices. A contract variation will be issued in due course. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email somicb@generalpractice@nhs.net.
Postal Strikes and FITs from the Colorectal Hub: Practices will have seen in a recent ICB update that the planned postal strikes will have an impact on the speed of FITs. 25 % of GP referrals (around 10 per PCN) have a FIT form sent to them through the colorectal hub. Though this service is still being offered during the strikes, if there are delays in receiving it, the colorectal hub will require the practice to complete and provide the FIT kit and post it internally to Musgrove Hospital. Full details here.
Revised MIU Opening Times: We have been informed from NHS Somerset that some of the MIUs in Somerset will be operating revised opening hours for approximately the next six months to maintain a safe service. The situation will be reviewed on a monthly basis during this time, and it is hoped that the workforce position will improve by spring 2023 - as a result of further recruitment, newly qualifying ENPs and colleagues returning to work from maternity leave.
The revised opening times are as follows:
- Burnham-on-Sea will now open Monday – Friday between 10am – 6pm (no weekend service).
- Chard will open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday between 8am and 9pm (closing on Wednesdays and Fridays when there is no X-ray service)
- Shepton Mallet will operate on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 8am and 4pm (closing on Tuesday, Thursday and at the weekend)
- It is intended that all the other MIUs at Bridgwater, Minehead, Frome and Glastonbury will be open as normal, 8am – 9pm, 7 days a week.
The SPS Primary Care Medicines Advice Service is available via 0300 770 8564 and also the new email service, which launched last week, asksps.nhs@sps.direct. More details of the service can be found here - Contacting us for Medicines Advice – SPS - Specialist Pharmacy Service – The first stop for professional medicines advice.
Covid Vaccination - Allergy Pathway: Dr Andrea Trill has shared the new process for patients who either are or perceive themselves to be at risk of allergy with a mRNA Covid vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna etc). For those truly allergic that have been seen before, the team will contact the patient, the information is just in case practices get queries (hopefully small numbers) from patients who think they would prefer not to have a mRNA vaccine.
Wanted! Critical Thinkers from GP Community: Are you a GP or non medical prescriber? Would you like an interesting opportunity to look at Medicines Optimisation and Prescribing, and contribute to Somerset’s work on behalf of Primary Care?
Prescribing and Medicines Management (PAMM) meets monthly on a Wednesday morning, and GP and PCN Pharmacist representation is key. Current and past GP reps provide a lively and robust contribution to the Panel. Backfill of £300 is available.
The following PCN areas are not currently represented on PAMM:
- Bridgwater
- North Sedgemoor
- Mendip
- Frome
- South Somerset East
- South Somerset West
- Chard, Ilminster, Langport
- Taunton Deane West
If you are interested to know more, please contact Dr Andrew Tresidder, or discuss with your PCN clinical director andrew.tresidder@nhs.net.
Practice and PCN Finances and HR Considerations: The LMC have been running updates this week on the subject of practice and PCN finances and HR considerations. The sessions have looked at the practicalities of making practices and PCNs fit for the future in very uncertain times; identifying the challenges and looking at potential solutions. We feel that the message is important, particularly for GP partners, and will be organising further sessions aimed specifically at partners and PCN managers. Dates to follow soon.
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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