DDLMC UPDATES
STREP A/SCARLET FEVER GUIDANCE
NHS Guidance can be found at Strep A - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Useful links to help children with swallowing meds
KidzMed - elearning for healthcare (e-lfh.org.uk)
INFORMATION UPDATE 15TH DECEMBER 2022 /SECONDARY CARE REQUESTS FOR HEP-B VACCINATION FOR RENAL PATIENTS.
We have received numerous reports recently of requests to vaccinate renal patients for hepatitis B. General Practice is not commissioned to vaccinate this cohort of patients.
The responsibility to deliver hepatitis B vaccinations to renal patients lies with the renal service and not with General Practice.
Renal Hep B immunisation provision is commissioned by NHSE Specialised Commissioning Team.
Please reject any requests for Hep-B immunisation for renal patients back to renal service.
MESSAGE FROM THE BMA
Many professional groups are undertaking industrial action this winter as part of contractual negotiations and disputes with government and their employers. Whilst practice staff are not in dispute with their employing practices, some of these actions will impact on GPs and practices. The background to these disputes is very similar to pressures that GPs will recognise as currently impacting on them and their practices. Erosion in real terms pay, lack of effective workforce planning, deteriorated terms and conditions, failure to provide sufficient training places, and a disregard for the wellbeing of an exhausted and demoralised workforce apply to all NHS profession groups.
Government and NHS England have recognised that strikes will inevitably disrupt patient care, whilst unions have committed to preserve emergency care so as not to put patients at risk.
Practices may receive requests to help support secondary care or community services at times of industrial action. Examples may include:
- GPs or practice staff working in ED/urgent care
- Practice nursing staff undertaking work ordinarily done in hospital
- GPs supporting ambulance services whether with home visiting or at call centres
We would strongly advise practices to carefully consider the implications and impact on the care of their own patients if becoming involved in these plans. By depleting our practice workforce to support these services it will risk harm to our patients in general practice, potentially increase their waiting times, put practices at contractual risk by reducing the service that they are able to offer, and have GPs and practice staff working beyond their competence in roles they would not ordinarily fulfil.. This is in addition to potentially undermining the cause of our clinical colleagues in their trade disputes, and the likelihood of their support of any potential future action by members of the BMA
GPs and practice staff are faced with unmanageable demand for our services and skills, and practices are finding it increasingly difficult to provide safe care. The care of the patient is our primary concern, and it is vital that we devote ourselves to doing this within our practices, and not artificially shoring up other parts of the NHS, which are impacted by industrial action.
More information can be found here https://www.bma.org.uk/what-we-do/get-involved/supporting-the-profession/how-to-support-and-show-solidarity-with-your-nursing-colleagues
NATIONAL LIVING WAGE/NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES ANNOUNCED BY HM GOVERNMENT
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We have attached an example of a staff modelling template which may be a helpful tool with calculating future pay increases. This is not a recognised or official calculator. The on costs are noted as 30%, however you may wish to review this. It has been created for practice to adapt as they wish. Any problems with the calculator please let us know at ddlmc.office@nhs.net. What's the new rate of sick pay for April 2023? Statutory sick pay (SSP) will increase to £109.40 per week from April 2023; it's currently £99.35. There are several eligibility criteria which apply to the payment of SSP, including earning a minimum amount per week. This is called the Lower Earnings Limit which is £123 per week since April 2022 and this rate will not change in April 2023 when the other rates are subject to an increase - it will remain at £123. What will the National Living Wage be in April 2023? The National Living Wage (NLW) will increase to £10.42 per hour for all pay reference periods starting on or after 1 April 2023. Until then, the rate is £9.50 per hour. It's payable to workers aged 23 and over. National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates The hourly rate for the minimum wage depends on your age and whether you’re an apprentice. You must be at least:
Current rates These rates are for the National Living Wage (for those aged 23 and over) and the National Minimum Wage (for those of at least school leaving age). The rates change on 1 April every year.
What's the new rate of statutory maternity pay from April 2023? The standard rate of statutory maternity pay (SMP) will increase to £172.48 per week from April 2023; it's currently £156.66. The first 6 weeks of maternity pay are paid at 90% of the employee's normal pay and the remaining maximum 33 weeks are paid at the standard rate or 90% of normal pay, whichever is lower. There are several eligibility criteria that apply to the payment of SMP, including earning a minimum amount per week. This is called the Lower Earnings Limit which is £123 per week since April 2022 and this rate will not change in April 2023 when the other rates are subject to an increase - it will remain at £123. ENERGY BILL RELIEF SCHEME The EBRS has become law meaning energy suppliers are now able to apply the discounts for eligible customers. This is a reminder that you do not need to take any action and your energy provider should apply any applicable discount to bills from early December. For further information please go to Gov.UK |
LOCAL UPDATES
Please see the following patient message regarding Christmas prescription ordering from Medicines Order Line (MOL)
“To help with the increased pressure on both the MOL service and GP practices, if your medication is due during the Christmas period (between 19th December and 3rd January), the MOL will accept your medication request 14 days prior to the due date, as opposed to the usual 7 days (For example, if medication is due on 26th December, the MOL will accept the request on the 12th December)”.
GP RESOURCES TO SUPPORT PEOPLE FROM BLACK, ASIAN AND MINORITY ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS WHEN ACCESSING HEALTHCARE SERVICES
Message from Quality & Health Inequalities
The learning disability charity Mencap has created new GP resources to support people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds when accessing healthcare services.
The resources come as data reveals that just 276,365 people are on the GP Learning Disability Register out of an estimated 1.2 million people in England with a learning disability (equating to less than a quarter).
The resources, which are now available in 10 different languages, raise awareness of the benefits of the register and encourage underrepresented communities (like those from minority ethnic groups) to sign up.
It also informs people with learning disabilities and their families/carers about the reasonable adjustments they are entitled to ask for during GP or hospital appointments.
A REMINDER ON FLU VACCINE SUPPLY FOR CHILDREN (2-18 YEARS) - PROVIDING QIVC FOR THOSE WHERE LAIV IS NOT APPROPRIATE
Message on behalf of Georgia Featherston, Communications and Publications
In light of the recent rise in the number of young children being hospitalised with flu and since receiving anecdotal feedback that in some cases parents are not being able to access the flu vaccine that is suitable for their child, we would like to remind colleagues which flu vaccines should be made available to children two years to less than 18 years in eligible groups.
Unless medically contraindicated or otherwise unsuitable, the nasal spray, LAIV, is the vaccine of choice for the childhood influenza programme. It is easy to administer and is considered better at preventing the spread of flu.
If the parent of an eligible child declines LAIV because of its porcine gelatine content, they can request an alternative injectable vaccine and are advised to speak to their child’s nurse, doctor or school aged immunisation service. After these conversations, if the nasal spray cannot be used, the child should be given the injectable QIVc.
Providers should therefore ensure they have sufficient stock of QIVc to be able to make this alternative offer where required. As in previous years, all flu vaccines for the 2022/23 children’s flu programme are available to order by NHS programme providers in England via UKHSA’s ImmForm website.
In addition Please find attached a communication from the national immunisation team in UKHSA concerning LAIV and iGAS. It provides some useful statements and lines to take if you are having conversations with parents who may be concerned about their child receiving LAIV at this time.
PCSE & NATIONAL UPDATES
PENSIONS REVALUATION HEADLINE STATEMENT – DHSC
The NHS Pension Scheme employer contribution rate increased on the 1 April 2019 from 14.3% to 20.6% plus the employer levy of 0.08%.
The Department of Health and Social Care’s consultation response announcing the rise, published in March 2019, confirmed the available funding to meet the associated costs and that a transitional arrangement would operate in 2019/20 where employers in the Scheme would continue to pay 14.38%.
Although initial expectation was that this transitional arrangement would only be in place for 2019/20, the approach continued in subsequent years, and BSA have now confirmed that the transitional arrangement will continue again in 2023/24 in order to maximise stability for employers in the sector, particularly in light of the continuing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This means that for 2023/24, all employers should continue to pay 14.3% in employer contributions plus 0.08% employer levy under their normal monthly payment process to the NHS Pension Scheme. NHS England will continue to make payments to the Scheme for organisations covered by the commitment to the NHS.
Please see their website for further details.
PATIENT RECORD MIGRATION RESEARCH
The Patient Record Migration Team is looking for people to take part in a research session to talk about your experiences with the patient deduction process which includes sending paper records to PCSE, so we can build a solution that works for you? We’re particularly interested in hearing about experiences of people who need reasonable adjustment or digital accessibility.
The research session will take a maximum of 60 minutes, and we’re happy to arrange a time that suits your schedule and availability.