Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 6th January 2023
Date sent: Friday 6 January 2023
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- MD Soundbites!
- RCGP Sudden Bereavement Support Pilot
- GP Retention Survey and Focus Groups
- New to Practice GP Nurse (GPN) Fellowship
- Job Vacancies
MD Soundbites!
Belated ‘Happy New Year’ everyone. 2022 was a challenge and I think we all know that 2023 will bring similar difficulties. I do hope however, that some of you had a bit of a break with loved ones over the holiday period. I do appreciate, that for many, it is hard to stay positive with the daily pressures, no sight of anything easing soon and the unrelenting media attention on health systems failing. One of the privileges of working for the LMC is being able to meet and learn from others. One of my colleagues this week reflected on the position of the NHS acknowledging that we may not be able to change it – but we can at least try and enjoy what we do. They reminded me of the joy of training and sharing what we do. I appreciate that some of you are working such frantic days that it is hard to see any joy but there is hope!
The LMC provided an update just before Christmas that we have negotiated with the ICB and our GPPB colleagues ‘Winter Resilience Payments’ and locum support. We have had some queries about what this means as some felt we were being cryptic. This was not intended. The ICB recognise that we know how to manage our patients and they have given assurance that practices will not be financially disadvantaged if you need choose to make decisions that could affect QoF. Karen and I are meeting with the ICB again next week and following this will share further details.
The LMC recognise that primary care has no capacity to do more, but we must evidence what we do as accurately as possible. Just before Christmas we were reporting Opel 4 in over 50% of our practices but I do not believe this is accurate, I think it is more! The LMC is seeking to develop a data set with the GPPB and the ICB that reflects our pressures. For so many years GPs have just got on with it because it has been the right thing to do. This is no longer possible and therefore, to facilitate and evidence change we need practices to report their Opel status. Imminently, we will be rolling out a GPAS reporting system which a number of national LMCs have adopted and we are currently running this as a pilot in seven practices in Somerset.
Due to the extreme pressures the LMCs around the country are sharing best practice and I wanted to share an excellent document from Humberside LMC – may I extend my thanks to them. I have shared the BMA details on safe working previously but for those that may have missed this – link attached again for information. We have to be safe and we have to look after ourselves so please consider some of these suggestions to help. Some practices have also informed me that they are receiving poor reviews as they are unable to meet patient expectations. Communicating with your patients your operational pressures should help! There are some suggestions contained within the Humberside LMC document.
Until next week
Justin
Medical Director
RCGP Sudden Bereavement Support Pilot: This pilot proposal, funded by NHS England, will support a small number of practices in the immediate period following the sudden death of a key member. In this instance, a key member refers to a partner or practice manager whose impact on the practice is considered to be critical. Further detail can be found here.
GP Retention Survey and Focus Groups: NHS England have launched a GP retention survey alongside a form for registering to participate in focus groups on GP retention. They want to understand the impact existing approaches to recruitment and retention have had to feed into future proposals for support for GPs and others working in general practice. This includes improving their understanding of the experience of GPs and other general practice workforce with protected characteristics and underrepresented groups, so they can identify any disparities in experience and any adjustments required to meet their needs.
Links to the survey and focus groups form can be found here . As the survey was launched over the Christmas period, there is less than a week to complete it, with 11 January being the last day for submissions. The focus groups will take place between 16 and 27 January.
New to Practice GP Nurse (GPN) Fellowship: Alison Williams has been overseeing the New to Practice GP Nurse (GPN) Fellowship for the last 2 years. Over this time, Alison has supported the development of the fellowships. Additionally, Alison has led our GPN Preceptorship program. We are so proud of what has been achieved in that time, and grateful to Alison for the leadership she has shown through this. Thank you Alison. As from the end of December 2022, Alison has left the role, while the fellowships remain. For all ongoing correspondence regarding the fellowships please contact the generic email address: somersetlmc.sth.office@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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