Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 2nd February 2024
Date sent: Friday 2 February 2024
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- MD Soundbites!
- GPAS (General Practice Alert State)
- News from GPC England
- GPC England Contract Update YouTube Video - please share
- Referendum of the GP 2024/25 Contract – Join the BMA Today and Have Your Say
- EMIS and Coding Problems for QOF
- Access to Records – ICO Response to DPIAs
- GP End of Year Forms: Submission Deadline Extended to 31 March
- BMA Divisional Elections
- Rebuild General Practice – Template Letter to MPs
- Extension of Services for GP Partners - Information for GP Partners/Salaried/Locums/Practice Managers
- GP and GPN Fellowship Update
- Trainee Nursing Associate Apprenticeships - Training/Events
- National Apprenticeship Week
- Shapes Toolkit: How to Deal with Conflict and Other Stressful Situations - Rachel Morris - 25th April - Resources
- NHS Funded Personal and Team Coaching - Safe Working in General Practice (BMA) This guidance is regularly updated with new items and suggestions
- Job Vacancies
- Somerset Emotional Wellbeing Podcasts - this week Improving Insomnia
News from GPC England
GPC England Contract Update YouTube Video - please share
Referendum of the GP 2024/25 Contract – Join the BMA Today and Have Your Say: GPC England plan to review the final contract proposal for 2024/25 from the DHSC (Department of Health and Social Care), together with NHSE (NHS England). In line with LMC conference policy, GPCE are preparing to hold a referendum which will enable colleagues to decide whether the offer sufficiently supports general practice in England for the forthcoming financial year, or not.
To be eligible to vote in the referendum, you need to be an NHS GP, practising in England, and a BMA member. You can join the BMA here. We wait to hear more details from GPCE next week.
EMIS and Coding Problems for QOF: The Joint GP IT committee (with representatives from GPC England and RCGP) met last week. EMIS has apologised for issues related to QOF/coding problems and medications missing from data sets following EMIS updates MKB 203, MKB 204 and MKB 205. They assured the committee they have been working to resolve them and plan to release MKB 206 this week to remedy the issues caused by previous updates. Once MKB 206 has been released, if you continue to run into problems, please contact info.gpc@bma.org.uk. GPCE recognise this impact on QOF work in this critical time running up to April and they have made EMIS aware of the seriousness of the situation for hard-pressed colleagues.
Access to Records – ICO Response to DPIAs: Following submission by many practices of their DPIAs (Data Protection Impact Assessments) relating to the accelerated access to records programme, the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) has published its advice ‘so GPs affected are aware of the ICO’s views on the matter.’ Read the advice. The ICO is content that ‘potential data protection risks have been identified, and that sufficient mitigations are in place.’ Practices that haven't completed a DPIA are encouraged to do so and make their commissioners aware. If practices identify particular data protection risks associated with providing online access, which they do not consider to be mitigated, they should consult and engage with the ICO and their commissioner.
GP End of Year Forms: Submission Deadline Extended to 31 March: All Type 1 GP & Non-GP Partners - Type 1 Annual Certificate | PCSE (england.nhs.uk) and Type 2 practitioners Salaried and Solo GPs - Type 2 Self Assessment | PCSE (england.nhs.uk) must complete the relevant certificate or form and submit to Primary Care Support England (PCSE) for work in England. Please note the submission date has been extended to 31 March 2024.
BMA Divisional Elections: Elections are now taking place within BMA divisions to choose local representatives to attend the BMA 2024 ARM (annual representative meeting). The BMA election portal is here (BMA members only) and click on “Online elections”:
Rebuild General Practice – Template Letter to MPs: Rebuild General Practice is asking GPs to use its template letter to write to your local MP asking them to prioritise rebuilding general practice in their election roadmaps. Party manifestos are being written this spring, and we can make a difference by speaking as one unified voice and profession, to engage MPs, and local press. We must ensure that all major parties are motivated to prioritise the crisis in general practice and are committed to developing plans to do so following the election. Find all the materials you need to take part in this action here.
Extension of Services for GP Partners: For GP partners who are BMA members, there is HR and employment law advice for you or your delegate via 0300 123 1233, or email support@bma.org.uk. The BMA Employer Advisory Service is now offering a valuable extension of its services under the EAS: GP Enhanced Services Pilot.
Information for GP Partners/Salaried/Locums/Practice Managers
GP and GPN Fellowship Update: We have been informed by NHSE that ‘there will be funding for all fellows that are on-boarded (registering) by 31.03.24’ for the full two year programmes, including mentor support. We would like to encourage anyone interested to register interest THIS MONTH as NHSE will be able to honour the 2-year fellowship if you have a new job starting or completing training by May 2024. If anyone is thinking of joining the fellowship after March 2024, please get in touch as soon as possible too. We await further information about the future of recruitment and retention schemes and we have started conversations with our ICB on this vital matter. For interest in GP Fellowships please contact catherine.ievers1@nhs.net and for Nurse Fellowships paula.messenger1@nhs.net.
Trainee Nursing Associate Apprenticeships: We are seeking applicants from General Practice to join the Local Somerset Programme March 2024 cohort of Trainee Nursing Associate (TNA) Apprenticeships. Closing date for applications is 8th March 2024. See the advert here and further details here.
Training/Events
National Apprenticeship Week: The 17th annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships will run from 5th–11th February 2024. The week is an opportunity to celebrate the value, belief and opportunities that apprenticeships provide.
The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2024 is “Skills for Life”. Apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career and practices to develop a workforce with future ready skills. See Apprenticeships website. The Training Hub will be posting Apprenticeship information on Teamnet throughout the week with tips on the types of apprenticeships that are available, funding opportunities and how to recruit apprentices for the practice. If you would like any support from the Training Hub regarding Apprenticeships, please email somersetlmc.sth.office@nhs.net. PMA and BPP are running some daily webinars. Please follow this link for further information on the PMA webinars. Information on the BPP webinars can be found on this schedule.
Shapes Toolkit: How to Deal with Conflict and Other Stressful Situations - Rachel Morris 25 April 2024 – 13:30 to 17:00 via Zoom: This session will examine the common reasons that we avoid conflict, and the consequences for our team of not having the conversations we know we should. Participants will learn the neuroscience behind how our brains react to conflict, and how this can lead to the 'five dysfunctions of a team'. They will learn how to use some simple tools to help them build trust, improve psychological safety and conflict well.
Resources
NHS Funded Personal and Team Coaching: This is an excellent NHS funded offer and we have had personal recommendations about the personal career coaching. NHS England » Looking after your career (funded for up to 4 x 45 minute sessions), NHS England » Looking after your team. These are easy to arrange online.
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
General Practice in Somerset Great Place Great Potential
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