Somerset LMC Weekly Update Friday 8th March 2024
Date sent: Friday 8 March 2024
Sent to all Somerset GPs and Practice Managers This and previous updates are available here
- MD Soundbites! New this week... Staff feeling battered
- GPAS (General Practice Alert State)
- GP Contract 2024/25 Changes - IMPORTANT!
- Clinical News/Updates
- Faecal Calprotectin Update
- Memory Clinic
- Onward Referrals from SFT
- Somerset LMC Survey
- Tier 2 Weight Management Options for Patients - Information for GP Partners/Salaried/Locums/Practice Managers
- SGPET and LMC Websites Multi-Factor Authentication - Training/Events
- LMC Event - Single Assessment Framework, how to be CQC ready & how to not fall foul of the CQC
- Leadership Education Opportunity for Lead Practice and PCN Nurses
- The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism - Resources
- Safe Working in General Practice (BMA) This guidance is regularly updated with new items and suggestions
- Job Vacancies
- Somerset Emotional Wellbeing Podcasts - this week - Allyship
GP Contract 2024/5 Changes - IMPORTANT!
Hopefully you will all have seen the news that the government plans to impose a 3rd successive contract imposition onto General Practice from April 2024 . This contract delivers an under inflation uplift again and fails to deliver on the GPC request to give stability and hope to the profession. The reality is that the GP contract is in real terms worth £620 million less than in 2019. GPs are delivering more appointments and have no overall financial deficit with trusts being overspent by £1.5bn. The 24/25 contract will drop general practice proportion of NHS funding to 6%. The pressures in general practice are stark. Ahead of the 2024/25 contract being presented, Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer wrote to Primary Care Minister, Andrea Leadsom MP, last month about what the profession needs to counter significant general practice funding erosion. It is worth a read.
The call from the BMA is that ‘the time is now’ to fight for the future of General Practice and the question is ‘if not now then when?’. The BMA are holding a referendum to gauge the feeling of the profession on the new contract. This is vitally important. This is open and relevant to all GPs not just partners. Salaried GPs, Locums, registrars as well as GPs working in A&E etc are encouraged to vote. Every GP has a vested interest in adequate ongoing investment into the core GP contract and so everyone’s view is needed.
However, you do need to be a BMA member to vote. Many of us have long since let our BMA memberships lapse and many have compelling stories about times they have felt let down by the BMA however now is the time to look forward not back. Please join the BMA, even if not forever (it is tax deductible) make the professions voice loud and help the BMA send a clear message to the government. I re-joined this week so am not asking you to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself!
The GPC has set up a local WhatsApp group for Somerset GPs to get information and messages out to individual GPs as quickly as possible. Don’t worry this is not a chat group. You can receive messages from the GPC but not send them. You can join over 150 colleagues on that group here.
Somerset LMC will keep a very close watch on events as they unfold and will, as always, work hard to support the interests of all GPs in Somerset
Dr Tim Horlock
Chairman Somerset LMC
Clinical News/Updates
Faecal Calprotectin Update: SouthWest Pathology Services now provides an in-house service for Faecal Calprotectin. Please see information below to highlight the age cut-offs for screening for IBS/IBD, as they have been receiving a number of requests for the over 60s which is inappropriate as they are more likely to have a cancer/polyp. Since it is no longer a send away test, the labs are not vetting requests, so these inappropriate requests will be performed regardless. Current guidance:
Faecal calprotectin is indicated adults aged 18-60 with lower gastrointestinal symptoms. It is also used for monitoring patients with known IBD. Faecal calprotectin result interpretation for possible IBS/IBD:
- <100 ug/g - IBS likely
- 100-250 ug/g - Stop NSAIDs (if applicable) and repeat in 6 weeks, refer to gastroenterology routinely if second test more than 100 ug/g
- >250 ug/g - Stop NSAIDs (if applicable) and repeat in 6 weeks, refer to gastroenterology urgently if second test more than 250 ug/g
Memory Clinic: The LMC are in talks with the memory team following a number of issues raised by practices. These include out of date referral criteria on Teamnet, B12 levels, and assessment of risk in those without a formal diagnosis of dementia was discussed. We understand the team are in the process of updating their guidance, as soon as we have a further update we will let practices know.
Onward Referrals from SFT: For some time, the hospital contract has stipulated that if patients need onward referral within the trust it can be arranged by a secondary care team provided that it is ‘directly related to the condition of the original referral or the immediate need for the investigation/ treatment.’
In order to continue to identify areas in which this may not be happening, SFT have set up an email onwardreferrals@somersetft.nhs.uk. We encourage practices to email such cases and to provide an NHS number whereby appropriate onwards referrals are not being made. This email is not for significant events, as it is to look at trends rather than having a direct response back. In the interim, SFT are ensuring processes and training is in place so that these referrals can be made consistently and smoothly.
Somerset LMC Survey: Thank you for everyone that participated in the recent survey on clinical pathways. We really value your responses and we will look to continue to address your concerns. This data continues to support out work within SFT and the ICB.
Tier 2 Weight Management Options for Patients: In addition to the existing NHS digital weight management programme, the ICB have recently commissioned a 3 month programme of support through slimming world for adults with a BMI 30+ ((27.5+ for people of Black African, African-Caribbean, and Asian origin). The form will be available through Teamnet.
Information for GP Partners/Salaried/Locums/Practice Managers
SGPET and LMC Websites Multi-Factor Authentication: The provider of both our websites currently FourteenFish have now introduced Multi-Factor Authentication, this will mean when logging into our websites a further step will be required. This seems to be quite simple with varied options of text/call/app notifications, however if you do experience any problems, you can contact FourteenFish here.
Training/Events
LMC Event - Single Assessment Framework, how to be CQC ready & how to not fall foul of the CQC: Join us for this workshop on Tuesday 14 May 2024 at Taunton Racecourse 09:00 - 15:15. The speaker are Tracy Green (TAG Business Solutions) & Yvonne Vigar (Astara Consulting). Designed specifically for Somerset practice managers and a lead GP, this workshop aims to provide you with valuable insights into the Single Assessment Framework. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the framework's key elements and learn how to effectively implement and maintain these within your practice. Learn from recent inspections and identify the key areas to really focus on to make sure you are CQC FIT.
During this interactive workshop, you'll have the opportunity to network, share experiences, and discuss best practices. Don't miss out on this valuable learning opportunity. Book here to secure your spot. We recommend the practice manager and one lead GP attends.
Leadership Education Opportunity for Lead Practice and PCN Nurses: Somerset Training Hub has funding available to support Lead Practice and PCN Nurses who are keen to develop their leadership ability and expand their skills to support the recruitment/retention of nurses within their practice/PCN. Practice Nurses aspiring to a leadership role can also apply for funds.
This suite of courses is available to choose from. As well as providing funds to pay for the course fees in full, additional funds will be paid to cover some overtime or backfill costs. The total amount that will be reimbursed to the practice is included on the spreadsheet. Funds will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
The Request Form should be completed in full (including practice bank account details) and submitted to somersetlmc.sth.office@nhs.net to request funding. Practices will be responsible for booking and paying for the courses requested. It is recommended to wait until funding is confirmed before booking the course. Practices must respond to a short questionnaire in 6-12 months regarding the use of the funds.
Closing date for applications will be 30th April 2024 or earlier if all funds available are committed prior to this date.
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism: Whilst the outcome of the consultation on the Oliver McGowan draft code of practice on statutory learning disability and autism training - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) is still awaited, our ICB have created an offer of training. The DHSC have set the National training “requirements”, but haven’t officially made the Tiers of training “mandatory” nor funded in GMS. On the other hand, CQC have said that practices will need to demonstrate that all staff have undertaken relevant training relating to Autism and Learning Disability, and to demonstrate how this has been accomplished if the national recommendation has not been followed. The GPC are challenging this, given the implications of ALL tier 2 staff having to attend for full face to face annual training day for part 2 of the training.
The current suggested training is that everyone needs to do the online national e-learning training and then locally -if in Tier 1 to attend a webinar, and if in tier 2, to attend a face to face training offer. NHS Somerset Guidance can be found here.
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
We have updated our privacy policies on both the Somerset LMC and Somerset GP Education Trust websites.
