Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 16th December 2022
Date sent: Friday 16 December 2022
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- MD Soundbites!
- Medicine supply issues and use of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) - NHS Digital
- HandiPaed App
- qFit and T-quest
- Health Visitors Urgent line and CHAT Health
- Queries about Roadmaps to Practice or ACP educational and clinical supervision issues in practice?
- DBS Eligibility Tool
- Somerset Training Hub Programme Manager
- Job Vacancies
MD Soundbites!
Pressure cooker!!: The pressure in our practices is exceptionally high this week, with a significant number of practices reporting Opel 4, triggered in many by the demand for appointments for children, while others have faced workforce pressures through illness. The LMC know that the current position is untenable and we have been devising ways of mitigating this with the ICB. Next week the General Practice Provider Board (GPPB) meet and one of the main items of business is resilience (what can we stop doing?), I will share further updates as they develop, but we know how tough things are.
The GP pressures is echoed by the BMA – this link provides more details of the national picture. The LMC fundamentally wants a safe and high quality service for our patients and staff. BMA Guidance in safe working in general practice was updated this week – again an informative link. The LMC want to accurately understand your pressures, please can I ask that practices continue to complete your Opel status – this really helps. There is no shame in reporting Opel 4 – we suspect many more at this level but are not reporting it.
The LMC is sighted on the significant pressures that some practices are facing with asylum seekers. My eyes were opened this week when I met with a practice manager who showed me first-hand the difficulties they are facing in booking these patients and co-ordinating their care. This is something that the LMC is worried about and has started to understand and support. If your practice is facing similar problems please can you contact us on somersetlmc.office@nhs.net as we want to help but we do need to know the scale of the problems. However, this work really does make a difference for a patient group who are exceptionally vulnerable.
Despite the pressure some practices are doing more than surviving and I had the privilege to meet Dr Kelsey Boddington, Clinical Lead at Exmoor Medical Centre who obtained an Outstanding when inspected by CQC earlier this year. I think we would all acknowledge what an incredible achievement this is - inspection report link. Kelsey and her team have overcome some very significant challenges to achieve this and I am certain that we could all learn from some of the systems she has devised. The LMC aim to hold a webinar with Kelsey and her team next year. What is fundamentally clear is that there is no single process or system that works for everyone but at a time of overwhelming pressure we do have to share our successes and really support each other.
I was reminded this week of the importance of wellbeing and taking just a few minutes to reflect on how we are. Looking after you too… is definitely worth a read.
On the run up to Christmas have some fun, so until next week….
Justin
We have been informed this morning that following our discussions with the ICB yesterday they are working on a package of measures to support General Practice including contract changes. They plan to get this out to you all first thing on Monday.
HandiPaed App: This is the recommended paediatric app in Somerset and has been updated with advice for parents and professionals on Strep A. Developed by the paediatric team in Musgrove Park, though based on UK NHS guidance.
qFit and T-quest: We received a number of queries following the article two weeks ago and apologise for any confusion, we would like to confirm that when a GP is referring someone for bowel investigations they need a FIT test – there are two correct ways of doing this
- The GP fills in the form and the patient puts in the post
- The GP indicates that it will be undertaken by the ‘hub’
Either way the result comes through to the 2WW co-ordination team and the patient is then seen.
A handful of practices had been referring direct to the lab and this created the plea from them to order via T-Quest with the correct code. The lab have tried to help in all cases but it is causing confusion so please do not send qFit requests via T-quest.
Health Visitors Urgent line and CHAT Health: In some areas of Somerset, there are ongoing staff shortages, and so there is a professional urgent health visitor duty line Monday to Friday 9-4pm on 01823 355799. For parents, there is a text messaging service through CHAT Health.
- Parents of children 0-5s yrs, HV CHAT service 07480635514
- Parents of children 5-19 yrsCH-Parents-school-nurses.jpeg (1241×1754) (somerset.gov.uk) 07480635515
- Patients aged of 11-19 yrs-CH-Young-people-school-nurses.jpeg (1241×1754) (somerset.gov.uk) 07480635516
Queries about Roadmaps to Practice or ACP educational and clinical supervision issues in practice? Feel free to contact the Training Hub's Supervision Fellows; Jodie Smith (Jodie.Smith@SomersetFT.nhs.uk) and Liz Oxley (Elizabeth.Oxley@SomersetFT.nhs.uk).
Somerset Training Hub Programme Manager: We are seeking an experienced manager to join the training hub. Applications via CV and covering email to carol.hobbs4@nhs.net . Closing date 10th January 2023 full detail.
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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