Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 25th November 2022
Date sent: Friday 25 November 2022
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- MD Soundbites!
- News from the GPC
- Somerset Urgent Community Response Service - providing a 2-hour response for urgent care at home
- Support for our Military Community
- Metabolic Health Guide
- Paramedics in General Practice Guidance
- Job Vacancies
MD Soundbites!
Data Data Data!!!
There has been some significant interest this week about practice data that was released on Thursday. Some of you may have seen my update on Wednesday where the LMC pre-empted that aspects of the data may be inaccurate. This is indeed the case. There are practices in Somerset where the data is woefully inaccurate because of differences in how data is extracted. The LMC know that this is not an acceptable position to be in. The ICB absolutely recognise this and have been proactive in sharing differences in national and local data. NHS Somerset response to publication of NHS Digital General Practice Access Data (GPAD) for the first time
For those that are interested in the finer details please follow the following links. The LMC position is that practices should take an interest in data that is being shared publicly about your practice.
• GPAD: Appointments in General Practice, October 2022
• Complaints: Data on Written Complaints in the NHS, 2021-22
• Payments: NHS Payments to General Practice
Building on the work from the GP Provider Board (GPPB) last week the LMC Chairman is proactively seeing support in working collaboratively with our ICB colleagues to create a data set that recognises the immense value of general practice. This will not be an easy task!
LMC Conference
Some of the Somerset LMC team have been fortunate to attend the LMC Conference this week. Rest assured that our challenges are echoed in all other areas. The focus is on ‘Building Safe Practice’. The LMCs in England have clearly mandated that the GPC must focus on addressing safety in our services by addressing areas including: a workload sensitive contract, removing enhanced access, improving the interface between primary and secondary care, not accepting the near automatic referrals for mental health services and fair payments for work completed. A motion to reduce working hours in the new contract from 09.00 to 17.00 was also passed but somehow, I fear that that may be a tricky one to negotiate!
One Team!
It was so refreshing to meet with colleagues at the GPPB on Tuesday as we discussed how GP services remain resilient, safe and effective. There was a genuine collaboration between clinicians, managers and ICB leaders about general practice in Somerset shaping its own destiny. The LMC do however, recognise that there is no easy day in practice! We want to share best practice and ensure everyone is supported. Please know we are here for you. Share items that are going well through your PCN Clinical Director, share concerns through them and us and above all look after each other. One wise person said to me this week.
‘It is our responsibility to highlight wellbeing but it is yours to action’ … it made me think!
Justin
Metabolic Health Guide: Somerset GP Dr Campbell Murdoch has just released a Metabolic Health Guide, which could be useful for both patients and practices.
Paramedics in General Practice Guidance: NHS England has just published a useful guidance document which describes the scope of practice of paramedics working in general practice . This document aims to improve understanding of the roles and responsibilities of general practice paramedics. It includes information on education/development needs, supervision requirements and the differences between enhanced, first contact and advanced levels of practice. Our Paramedic Fellow Catherine Hayden is also available to discuss and advise on all things paramedic in primary care. catherine.hayden@nhs.net.
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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