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Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 4th March 2016

Date sent: Friday 4 March 2016

All Somerset GPs and Practice Managers                             This and previous updates can be found here

Bright Ideas The big organisational changes to tackle the problems of the NHS  being  proposed by the CCG and others are going to take time to implement, but  we have a capacity problem now.   We know that some practices are starting their own local projects to deal with the demand and workforce problems everyone is facing.  If you have set up or are planning such a scheme, would you be prepared to share it with others? If so, please can you send us back the form attached or ring the LMC office  (01823 331428) for us to fill it in.  No suggestion is too small!  We will then set up an area on the website to share the innovation and ideas that are happening around Somerset.

Pharmacy Minor Ailments Scheme to End NHS England have announced that  it is no longer able to fund the current Pharmacy Minor Ailments Scheme in Somerset,  and that the scheme is being wound up. Under the scheme   pharmacists could  issue  specific treatments for various conditions using a series of PGDs,  thus avoiding  the need for a GP appointment.  For various reasons take –up of the scheme has been falling,  with an average of one patient per month seen in participating pharmacies recently. 

Patients contacting practices with the relevant  minor ailments (notably simple conjunctivitis and uncomplicated UTI)   should therefore  no longer be directed to a pharmacy, though this can be offered as an option for patients who may find it more convenient as  the pharmacist will still be able to supply  Pharmacy (P) remedies but not Prescription only (POM) items

Payment timetable with codes We have updated the spreadsheet and this is available on the website. All CCG payments with the exception of the Prescribing payments (made through Exeter by NHSE on behalf of CCG Medicines Management team) no longer use the Exeter codes.

The remittance advice from SBS sent to practices for CCG Enhanced Services payments have the service title for each amount instead of a code. The corresponding summary statement is sent to practices each month and has details including additional descriptions for each payment amount on the statement with the Remittance Advice reference.

Local and National Enhanced Services Several practices have asked for a list of all the Local and National ES available, we have posted a list on the website here Please note not all practices will be commissioned for every service and we are still waiting for confirmation on the Local Authority ES.

LMCs Buying Group Update The number of practices in this county who are taking advantage of the savings offered  by the Federation of LMC Buying Groups has risen in 2015 overall. Sixty of our practices are now involved, to a greater or lesser extent. Interestingly there are now only 20 LMCs in the whole of England and Wales which are not signed up to the Federation.

The bargaining power of this organisation is now considerable. A list of the currently recommended suppliers is on their website. Are you making use of these savings?
 
Any LMC Buying Group member practice can access, free of charge, a bespoke price comparison analysis to demonstrate the value of savings the Buying Group deals can offer compared with their existing suppliers. Interested practices or federations can email info@lmcbuyinggroups.co.uk for more information.

Blue Stream Academy A number of Somerset practices have taken advantage of the online learning package offered through the buying group with Blue Stream, their contracts are now up for renewal and they are keen to continue, we are able to get a larger discount if the numbers are increased, if your practice is thinking of signing up would you please let the LMC office know so that we have an idea of numbers and can negotiate a good deal for all. LMCoffice@somersetlmc.nhs.uk

Chaperone Training on Tuesday 15 March 2016 at Queen Camel Health Centre

Time: 13:30 - 16:30  places still available Book online

Please Don’t  Bypass  the Clinical Field When Using T-Quest! (from Dr David James)

Just for fun, I have collated the data on requests received in Somerset where the clinical details are, shall we say, unusual. Around 5% of request received have clinical details which consist of x, /, .,  or some other random assortment of 1 or 2 characters/letters.

On a serious note, whilst in the majority of samples the clinical details may not actually be utilised, there are occasions where some relevant clinical information is required to guide further testing, or for us to authorise sending samples to a referral laboratory. It does not have to be a long essay, but a few words that are clinically relevant will enable us to deal with request promptly without us having to try and track each other down!

Dr David James MD FRCPath

SPS Clinical Director and Consultant Chemical Pathologist

 

Kind Regards

Jill

 

Jill Hellens

Executive Director

Somerset LMC

TEL: 01823 331428

Fax:01823 338561

www.somersetlmc.co.uk

 

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Attached file: Bright-Ideas.docx

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