Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 28th October 2022
Date sent: Friday 28 October 2022
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- Future of General Practice
- Guidance on Patient Access to Records from 1 November
- Letter from GP for Travel with Medication
- New Surgical Decision Unit at Musgrove Park Hospital
- Estates Survey
- Supporting Early Discharge of Patients Following Hip and Knee Surgery
- SGPET Events
- Webinar - Partnership or Salaried; A New Option for Primary Care Business
- Job Vacancies
Future of General Practice: This report is one of the most insightful official publications we have read in some time, reporting the problems facing general practice and directing the must dos to the government.
The GPCE will be issuing a summary with commentary in terms of the recommendations that specifically align to the profession’s already stated objectives, as well as some other insights around the new Chancellor’s vocal support for greater resources for general practice and primary care over the past few years.
Letter from GP for Travel with Medication: It has been brought to the GPCs attention that some airlines are advising travellers bringing medication in their hand luggage, should bring a letter from their medical practitioner confirming the type of medication and what it is for. GPC have raised this issue with the low budget airline, who advised that if a passenger packs their medication in their hold luggage, they do not require any of their medical information. However, if a passenger seeks to carry their essential medication in their cabin luggage, and the form of the medication contravenes aviation regulations e.g., the use of sharps, liquids more than 100ml or oxygen cylinders, they require the passenger to produce confirmation from their healthcare practitioner that the medication is necessary to be carried as it may be required on board. The advice on their website is not clear on this point as it advises passengers to take their medication in their hand luggage, and it does not specify which sort of medication requires a letter, The GPC have written to the airline again asking for their webpage to be updated on this point. Practices may choose to do this private work but are not obliged to do so. Practices should advise patients that they can print off their medical record from the NHS app, or alternatively, practices are able to charge for travel-related requests for information.
Estates Survey: We have received a number of queries from practices after receiving the results of this survey listing areas that are in need improvement. The ICB have confirmed that the 3 facet survey data is provided to practices as part of the Estates Toolkit programme for the information of practices, there is no contractual requirement or expectation that action will be taken specifically on any issues the 3 facet survey identifies. Practices may choose to address some of the highlighted areas, to maintain their premises to a reasonable standard.
SGPET Events: Since returning to face to face meetings we are getting a number of practice staff who DNA, while we have introduced a minimal charge to help the education trust recoup some of the costs involved in this (venue/meals/speakers/IT etc), it has come to light that a lot of the non-attenders have in fact moved to another practice. As we have to pay for all delegate places booked 7 days prior to the event and often hold a large waiting list, can we please ask that you do all or some of the following,
- If a member of staff leaves your practice please check at an exit interview if they have booked any future events and cancel asking them to rebook under their new practice.
- If a new member joins your practice please check if they have booked on any future events.
- If you are a member of staff moving practice please ask your new employer if you can attend if not please cancel your place.
If not we unfortunately will need to invoice the original practice where the booking was made.
Webinar - Partnership or Salaried; A New Option for Primary Care Business: Minehead Medical Centre, has become the first individual GP in the country to operate as a John Lewis Style Employee-Owned Trust. The advantage of this model is that it enables the practice to offer GPs and other health staff a say in how their practice is run. Staff at the practice can also develop a leadership role without needing to have money to invest in a partnership and profits generated are invested back into the practice to help improve services, training and wages. A key driver in the decision by the practice to incorporate firstly as a limited company and then as an EOT is to help protect the ongoing stability and sustainability of the practice. Minehead Medical Centre’s Dr Ed Ford is delivering a lunchtime webinar to share more about this on Wednesday 16th November at 1pm. To join the webinar please 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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