Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 29th January 2016
Date sent: Friday 29 January 2016
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and Previous updates can be found here
- Are you worried that you may not be able to meet your NHS contract requirements?
- Somerset Together-Yes but are We? Tuesday 9th February 7.30 PM Taunton Racecourse (supper from 6.45)
- Patient online Access
Are you worried that you may not be able to meet your NHS contract requirements?
If so please let us know
Workforce, demand and resource pressures are growing and an increasing number of practices have in touch with the LMC to tell us that they may soon be unable to provide all the services that they are contracted to offer. The most pressing problem is, of course, GP recruitment, with many practices reporting no applicants at all to advertisements for partners.
The LMC is in constant discussion with the CCG, NHS England and other interested parties about these challenges, and it is very valuable for us to know as soon as practices are getting concerned that, for any reason, they may not b able to keep going.
Whilst there is no short to medium term prospect of a dramatic improvement in the number of GPs coming into the county there are things that we may be able to suggest that can relieve some of the pressure, and the better our intelligence the more likely we are to find workable solutions.
Somerset Together- Yes But are We? Tuesday 9th February 7.30 PM Taunton Racecourse (supper from 6.45)
It is fair to say that there still remains a wide variation in understanding of and commitment to OBC amongst us all. The aim of the meeting is to share information about OBC and to gauge which way Practices may choose to go at this stage. We hope that frank discussion will inform and empower Practices to make the right choice for their organisation whatever that may be. We would encourage as many GPs and Practices managers to attend this LMC practice-only event as the stated aim of the meeting is to present a list of questions to the CCG for formal response. Please book online https://www.somersetlmc.co.uk/events/1763
Patient online Access
Following the requirements to offer patients online access to a summary view of their medical record by 31 March 2015, all practices in England are now required to offer online access to all detailed information, i.e information that is held in a coded form within the patient's medical record to any patient that requests it. (this does not include any free text unless the practice decides that it is useful for clarity of results and in the best interest of the patient) by March 2016
This means that you should have the functionality switched on at practice level by 31 March 2016. Please note that this is all that is required contractually at this stage. We would suggest that data made available is from current data rather than historical.
If you are unsure how to switch this on, please contact your Clinical System. Detailed guidelines should be on their websites.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Once Detailed Coded Record is switched on at practice level does this mean all registered patients with an online account automatically get access to this coded information?
A. No, once switched on at practice level this will make the services available but patient level access would be dealt with on a case by case basis once they have provided the relevant consent.
Q. Do we have to provide additional information such as free text or documents?
A. No, practices are not required to provide information that is not held in coded form such as free text (codes, results and consultations) or letters and attachments. However, practices may choose to provide this information where it is in the patient’s interest to do so.
Kind Regards
Jill
Jill Hellens
Executive Director
Somerset LMC
TEL: 01823 331428
Fax:01823 338561
www.somersetlmc.co.uk
This message is confidential to the addressee(s) and may not be circulated further without the consent of the author. If you have received it in error please delete it and notify us by return. Somerset LMC recommendations are for guidance only and practices should take advice from their lawyer, defence organisation or other professional adviser as appropriate.
