DAILY COVID-19 BRIEFING DDLMC – 23.04.2020
NATIONAL UPDATES
WEEKLY NHSE PRIMARY CARE WEBINAR Today 5PM. Details here .
NHS Volunteers Scheme. NHSE have announced that the scheme will soon be open for self-referrals. In the meantime, shielded patients can ask volunteers for short-term help by calling 0808 196 3646 between 8am - 8pm. Please can you publicise this for the benefit of these patients.
CCAS. This system is now live and if practices have allocated bookable slots they may well be used. Experience shows that CCAS are getting some non COVID-19 patients slipping though so you should expect that these patients may not be COVID-19. We are inching towards a full understanding of how the system works and once we have more clarity, we are planning a webinar for an update and to allow practices to ask questions. I am hoping to provide a more detailed update tomorrow.
LOCAL UPDATES
GP practice and PCN COVID-19 Expenses. Yesterday’s reference to the invoicing system should have read TRADESHIFT (not tradeswift). Any queries please email ddccg.finance@nhs.net . Apologies for my poor spelin.
Workforce. As we approach the recovery phase you should be aware of two sources of additional support:
- Medical Students. Please see the attached information (national (A.) and local (B.)) regarding the availability of 4th year medical student volunteers. Some examples of where they could be particularly useful: helping run catch up recall systems, contacting patients for LTC follow up etc
- Local GP Returners/Increasers/Locums. We have contact with many experienced local GPs who are immediately available to work. Some examples of where they could be particularly useful: running LARCs clinics, LTC catch up clinics, backfill for practices to do likewise. Please contact ddlmc.chambers@nhs.net or call (01332) 210008 for more details.
On demand remote BSL Interpreting Service for UK’s deaf community. The Deaf Health Charity, SignHealth and online interpreting company InterpreterNow, have launched ‘ BSLHealthAccess ’ which enables the provision of immediate, on demand access to British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters for communication with deaf people in health settings free of charge during the current coronavirus situation.
Minor Eye Conditions Following on from the CCG update about MECS yesterday, thank you to Dr Andrew Marshall who provided the attached spreadsheet (C.) with the opticians in the south of the county who are already taking part in the pilot.
OTHER UPDATES
Repeat COVID-19 Symptoms. UHBD have put out the following advice for staff who develop symptoms consistent with the case definition for COVID-19 following a period of self-isolation and/or a positive COVID-19 result. Practices may want to adopt a similar approach. “There remain many unanswered questions relating to immunity to Covid-19. We do not know whether people who have been infected with Covid-19 1) generate antibody 2) generate effective immunity and 3) if immunity is generated, how long it will persist for. Until there is more data relating to immunity, staff who develop symptoms that are consistent with Covid-19, must self-isolate regardless of their previous Covid-19 history. This includes staff who have previously isolated and/or have had a positive Covid-19 result. When we have clarity relating to Covid-19 immunity we will update this guidance.”
Ashgate Hospice Training Event TONIGHT. Sarah Parnacott, Consultant in Palliative Medicine at Ashgate Hospice has asked us to remind you about their training event this evening at 7pm via Zoom. They will cover the Respiratory signs and symptoms, management in secondary care (inc ITU), impact on the patient and family, how secondary care has adapted, impact on other hospital services and referrals, and management of these patients in the community including those discharged after an inpatient stay. The full details and registration form are attached.
Apron Supplier. Selkent Medical have advised that they have aprons available for delivery tomorrow 24/04/2020. Minimum order is 3600pcs @ £0.19p + VAT Each. Only sold in Box Quantities, 6 rolls per box, 600 aprons per roll. Contact details are Luke Patmore Area Sales Manager M: 07848 455 886 lp@selkentmedical.com . Apron spec is attached.
AND FINALLY…
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of……. long words. Who knew?