Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 8th September 2023
Date sent: Friday 8 September 2023
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- MD Soundbites! - Updated today
- GPAS (General Practice Alert State)
- Cinapsis
- Sharing Access with External Providers – GREAT CARE NEEDED
- Southwest Pathology Services - Paper Lite Helpdesk Update
- Somerset Local Medical Benevolent Fund
- Safeguarding Lunch & Learn sessions with ICB
- Safe Working in General Practice (BMA) This guidance is regularly updated with new items and suggestions
- Managing Workload and Taking Time to Reflect on Wellbeing for GP Practices
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Training Hub Fellowship Post
- Job Vacancies
Cinapsis: NHS Somerset (ICB) are implementing a new service called Cinapsis. This is a system that allows GPs to refer patients to secondary care but it is much more than that! It can be configured to get advice and help us manage our patients in a more timely manner. Colleagues in the east of the county are already referring to the Royal United Hospital in Bath – some of the LMC committee are using this service and the feedback to date that we have received is positive. Here is the link to use to find out how others use it.
There are a number of pathways proposed to use including dermatology and gastroenterology, other specialities including paediatrics, gynaecology and cardiology are planned before March 2024. This project would greatly benefit from GPs being involved in the pathways. The LMC want this to be an IT system that meets our needs as well as those of our hospital colleagues. If you are a GP who would like to be involved in the Primary Care Working Group please can you e-mail Advice.first@somersetft.nhs.uk or contact the LMC office on somersetlmc.office@nhs.net. If you are working in a practice in the East of Somerset and would be interested in helping pilot some of the pathways Sandie Sealey would be very interested in hearing from you via the SFT email address above.
For practices to permit data to be passed to Cinapsis they will need to sign a Data Protection Plan (DPP). The LMC has sought guidance on the DPP and have no concerns with it.
Sharing Access with External Providers – GREAT CARE NEEDED: The LMC is aware that some practices (in Somerset and outside) have been approached by external providers that are promising to provide support for a variety of measures such as QoF targets, vaccs and Imms to enhance practice income. The LMC has been informed that some of these providers may not be reputable resulting in practices putting themselves and your patients at significant risk, when granting remote access. The LMC advice is that practices should not enter into agreements with 3rd party organisations unless it is approved by the ICB. If in doubt ask us or seek advice from the ICB. The implications for getting this wrong are considerable.
Southwest Pathology Services - Paper Lite Helpdesk Update: As you are now aware, Southwest Pathology Services have started to roll out the ‘Paper Lite’ service to our users to cut down on the amount of unnecessary paper used, as well as improving sample to laboratory efficiency. It has recently been brought to our attention that the contact email addresses on the ‘Information for users’ sheets are not correct and require updating. Should you need any assistance, please use the following contact details:
For the Paper Lite helpdesk, please use: spsadmin@somersetft.nhs.uk
For adding on additional tests to a sample, please use: GPPathologyAddon@somersetft.nhs.uk
Apologies for the error, and thank you for your feedback.
Somerset Local Medical Benevolent Fund:
What is this fund? Pre NHS, GPs in Somerset paid into a mutual fund so that it could act as a vital resource in times of hardship. With the advent of the NHS, pension and other benefits, payment into his fund stopped in 1996. However, the remaining funds were invested and are used to support existing GPs in Somerset.
Who is eligible to apply? For any doctor who has worked in Somerset General Practice in any capacity beyond his or her foundation training is eligible to approach the Fund for assistance. This includes GP principals, GP trainees, retained doctors, sessional GPs and those working for an OOH service provider in the county. An application can be made for ‘relief and assistance’ in a ‘time of need’ for them or their dependents. In addition, the Trust is able to make annual charitable donations (including the Cameron Fund) and support LMC pastoral work including counselling for GPs.
What are the criteria for applying? The criterion the trustees apply is that the doctor has suffered a significant drop in income. Examples of fund use include: ill health of a GP (where locum insurance excludes current condition); ill health of a first degree relative (child, parent or sibling) and/or a spouse or domestic partner; death of a GP. Payments are usually one-off but can be repeated and are typically between £500 and £4000. The grants are made without any condition regarding how they can be spent and no repayments are expected or accepted. Applications are made through the Secretary of the Benevolent Fund Dr Catherine Ievers catherine.ievers1@nhs.net. Applications are not means tested but the trustees may ask for some background information about PCT sickness payments and insurance income where appropriate. Please note that the Fund is not a substitute for adequate locum insurance arrangements.
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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