information for Somerset Primary care from Somerset CCG
Date sent: Friday 2 March 2018
All Somerset GPs
A little late in the day and only they only sent to PMs from the CCG at 3pm Today...
IMPORTANT - Information for Somerset GP practices
Date: Friday 2 March 2018
Somerset health system in Major Incident
At 19.30 hours yesterday (1-3-18), Somerset’s health system declared a major incident after severe weather and treacherous driving conditions meant some essential staff from hospital, community health services have been unable to report to their place of work or make home visits to patients in the most rural parts of the county.
The transport situation has improved slightly, but NHS Trusts are still awaiting more support from 4x4 vehicles and drivers today.
Primary care services
Thank you to all colleagues in practice; we know you are going the extra mile with many GPS and staff walking to work, sleeping in practices, helping out at practices or hospitals nearer home and so on.
Please note the following update:
Service continuity
REQUESTED ACTION:
If service at your practice has been affected by the extreme weather conditions - please notify NHS England of any service changes- the email address is PRIMARYCAREMEDICAL, England (NHS ENGLAND) england.primarycaremedical@nhs.net.
NHS England’s team is not able to respond to all emails but they are read and acted upon.
Somerset Local Medical Committee is able to offer advice and support. Somerset CCG’s Head of Primary Care, Michael Bainbridge, can be contacted on michael.bainbridge@nhs.net or 07775 827064 in-hours if any practices would like to discuss issues. The CCG on-call director can be contacted over the weekend on 0303 033 9944
Somerset Primary Link
Somerset Primary Link (SPL) have limited staff in the office today.
REQUESTED ACTION:
Should you need to contact SPL please phone them on 01749 836706.
You may be asked to leave your name and contact number with the admin staff and they will then call the nurses who are working remotely and they will call you back to take the details of the referrals.
Blood collections
The courier service with Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is NOT running today. We are still seeking information on Bath Royal United Hospital collections.
REQUESTED ACTION:
Please store bloods where possible for collection early next week, or arrange for samples to be taken next week.
Community Pharmacy
We are aware that many pharmacies are closed. Somerset CCG is working with NHS England who commission their services, to understand what pharmacies are open or able to provide a service today. The CCG will alert you as soon as information becomes available.
Dispensing practices
Dispensing practices have 24hr discretion to dispense urgent prescriptions to non-dispensing patients if their local community pharmacy is closed early today and tomorrow
Remote Access
REQUESTED ACTION:
Some users are reporting problems accessing services via remote computer access (VPN) or experiencing slow speeds when connected.
There are issues nationally with network providers with demand being so high which we will monitor. However, we would also urge you to try and keep remote access (VPN) usage to a clinical usage if possible, to allow other colleagues the opportunity to access services that require a VPN.
If you are unable to access the System via your VPN please contact the service desk on 07824475616
Kind Regards
Jill
Jill Hellens
Executive Director
Somerset LMC
TEL: 01823 331428
Fax:01823 338561
General Practice In Somerset Great Place Great Potential
