Practices may use 084 numbers to help provide a good service to their patients, provided that the cost to their patients is guaranteed to be no more than a standard local call.
If your practice uses an 084 number you must demonstrate to the Area Team that these calls are guaranteed not to cost...
Health professionals often receive requests from people who wish to access health records. These requests can include requests from patients to view or obtain copies of their own health record using GDPR subject access request rights or the requests might come from third parties, such as the...
The December 1997 Caldicott Report identified weaknesses in the way parts of NHS handled confidential patient data. The report made sixteen recommendations,one of which was the appointment of Caldicott guardians, members of staff with a responsibility to ensure patient data is kept secure. It...
All clinicians who performed cervical cytology should ensure they are up to date and maintain their skills and this is for the individual to evaluate using the inadequate rate as a guide but should not be simply decided by the total number of smears taking in any given period of...
DOLS CONTACT DETAILS: (Please do not call Somerset LMC)
Somerset County Council
dolsinformation@somerset.gov.uk this is a constantly monitored mail box Monday to Friday.
DoLS administrators
Sarah Baker 01278 447702
Melissa Chivers 01278 449838
SCC Mental Capacity Act and DoLS...
GMC and NMC publish guidance encouraging openness and honesty in healthcare.
When things go wrong patients should expect a face to face explanation and apology from doctors, nurses and midwives according to new guidance from the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Nursing and Midwifery...
The GPC are aware that in some areas, some hospital doctors have been instructing GPs to find out the test results which the hospital had ordered. Both the General Practitioner Committee and the Consultants Committee of the BMA agree this practice is potentially unsafe, and that the ultimate...
Med1web forms and The European Medical Directory
A number of GPs have in the past completed and signed a Med1web form from NovaChannel AG under the misapprehension that the form offered a free listings service in the European Medical Directory (TEMDI). However, in the small print there was a...
Our thanks to Londonwide LMCs' and LMC Law for this advice to practices
GP practices are public bodies for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and are subject to its requirements. This means that practices are advised to respond within 20 days, failing which they may be...
The requirement to submit Friends and Family Test (FFT) data was suspended across the NHS in March 2020 and was reintroduced into the GP Contract from 1st April 2022. However, practices will only be required to submit data from Q2 in 22/23 onwards and commissioners will be made aware of...
National Bereavement Care Pathway
A tool kit that has been developed to enable healthcare professionals (GPs, Practice nurses, HCAs, Receptionists/Secretaries) to use and deliver the pathway effectively in the primary care setting. It explains about the National Bereavement Care Pathway and the...
Are you considering a return to NHS General Practice after a break of 2+ years? Or is your practice interested in employing a GP without prior NHS experience?
If so you may have noticed recent media coverage regarding the new National Induction and Refresher (I&R) scheme. The I&R scheme...
A new education and career framework for nurses has been launched by Health Education England to view please follow the below link.
Link to PDF version
Overseas visitors who need healthcare while in England will soon be charged differently for using the NHS as part of efforts to recoup £500 million a year by 2017 to 2018.
From April, the way the NHS charges these visitors is being changed so that it does not lose out on income from migrants,...
It is intended that this document will serve to inform LMCs about the current position of Physician Associates (PAs) in the UK and the implications for General Practice.
The revised Code and Retention Schedule was launched in July 2016 and the IGA has committed to at least an annual review cycle. Feedback will be important evidence to support the first review in 2017.
See full guidance including the retention schedule
Offsite Storage of Medical Records
The...
Revalidation was introduced in December 2012. The RCGP has approved a new Guide to Supporting Information for Appraisal and Revalidation (March 2016) that aims to reduce inconsistencies in interpretation and simplify and streamline the recommendations. The full updated guidance can be found on...
This has been designed to help support practices to ensure they have a framework and practice system in place within which to manage PoCT safely.
Somerset ICB Point of Care Testing Policy
Beyond the immediate clinical need of a patient - if a patient is declared dead on the premises how should you proceed?
If the death is sudden and unexpected you will need to contact the coroner via the police. The police will arrange for transport of the body from your site - the coroner may...
