DDLMC WEEKLY UPDATE - 16.07.2020
DDLMC WEEKLY UPDATE 16th July 2020
Welcome to our second DDLMC/GPTF weekly update, where we aim to keep you up to date with any important developments in a short and easy to read format.
COVID-19 UPDATES
RCGP
The RCGP have updated their eLearning packages in the COVID-19 resource Hub . They also have a comprehensive guidance document on face-coverings in primary care .
Guidance for patients requesting exemption letters for face coverings
The wearing of face coverings in shops becomes compulsory on Friday 24th July. Some patients may be anxious about this announcement and we have seen an increase in requests for ‘exemption certificates’. GPs are not in a position to provide individual risk assessments or letters for patients who feel they should be exempt from wearing a face mask, nor are you under any obligation to do so. We have updated our letter on face covering exemption which as attached
NATIONAL UPDATES
NHSE/I Update on GP services
Last week NHSE/I released a letter regarding arrangements for practices for the rest of 2020/21. In summary the main points are:
- Continued suspension of appraisal and revalidation. GPC is working with NHSEI and others on a much more proportionate and supportive appraisal process and will provide details about this shortly
- QOF will recommence from 1 July (focussing on flu, prescribing, screening and maintaining registers, as well as modified QI indicators to focus on returning services to patients with cancer or learning disabilities) with income protection for those indicators that have not been prioritised for return, and an expectation that practices will discuss their approach to prioritising clinical care with the CCG. QOF guidance to support this approach will be produced very soon but in summary the points relating to influenza and cervical smear targets will be doubled to 58, the points for quality improvement (74), prescribing indicators (44) and disease registers (81) will remain the same and the other indicators (310) will have income protection. Income related to this element of QOF will be paid based on historic achievement. GPC are working on how that will be calculated. We would encourage practices to use their professional judgement in their management of patients with long term conditions, to do what they can within their capacity and capability over the coming months, and by doing so demonstrate that, even at times such as this, the delivery of good quality care is not dependent on contractual requirements.
- Practices should return to providing new patient reviews, routine medication reviews, over-75 health checks, clinical reviews of frailty, shingles vaccinations, and PPG arrangements
- The worklist process from CCAS will be maintained at 1 per 500 in order to ensure any local outbreaks and any second wave might be managed without requiring further changes
- Friends and Family tests, and the requirement for consent for ERD remain suspended
- The Investment and Impact Fund will begin in October, but details of exactly what is to be delivered are still being discussed
- DSQS will return from August for dispensing practices
- Encouragement for PCNs to continue with their recruitment (and provides further assurances around liabilities)
- Commissioners are encouraged to reinstate LES/LIS in an appropriate and controlled way
- Arrangements for local outbreaks should they occur
- Income protection and further funding implications are outlined, although further discussion on funding is ongoing
Further guidance will be provided in the coming weeks, specifically regarding appraisal, QOF and funding arrangements, following further discussions with NHSE/I.
LOCAL UPDATES
Derbyshire Health Care Plan Update
The LMC has been working with the Care Planning Committee of the CCG to highlight concerns several practices have raised regarding the new Derbyshire Health Care Plan (DHP) which replaced the cumbersome Derbyshire Health and Social Care Summary (DHSC. The DHP is a much smaller document which pulls relevant information from GP clinical systems with the aim of being much more user friendly and quicker to complete. Due to the coronavirus pandemic the first version was rolled out speedily and there have undoubtedly been problems with it. These teething troubles are now being addressed but the committee are happy to receive ongoing feedback. We are also aware that switching from the old to the new care plan does take a bit of extra work but once done should work smoothly.
We continue to receive concerns from practices regarding issues with the communication of ReSPECT forms post discharge so we have also asked the End of Life working group to re-evaluate how well ReSPECT is working across the system.
Derbyshire Red Hub Takes Part in UK-Wide COVID-19 Testing Trial
The Red Hub team on the Derby University site are one of the 5 centres across the UK running the REACT2 trial led by Imperial college which is looking at the efficacy and usability of home antibody testing kits. The research team draws from a team of clinical, admin and managerial staff drawn from practices across the city working together to drive innovation in the fight against coronavirus; and is studying a cohort of >1000 volunteers drawn from Police and Fire Service.
‘ This really feels like it is for the greater good and has capitalised on the collaborative working seen by practices throughout the outbreak. Everyone has been incredibly supportive and people have leapt at the chance to be part of this ground-breaking work’ – Janine Patton
‘ It’s a really important piece of work that is part of something bigger. We’re 3 months into lockdown and the work done in the early stages of this study is already being implements. We really feel the work we’re doing now is laying the foundations for tackling the ongoing pandemic.’ Jackie Moore ANP – Brook and Haven Surgery
DDCCG position statement on supply of items for admin for DCHS nursing staff (attached)
Covid support funding – Reminder from Hannah Belcher to ensure all invoices up to 31st July are promptly submitted. There will also be changes to the criteria in the funding from 1st August, more details to follow once known.
Minor surgery DES – Hannah asked for any practices who are forecasting a significant loss of income due to a GP who usually carries our minor surgery and who is shielding or as a result of risk assessments to alert her by email Hannah.belcher@nhs.net Hannah can collate these issues to flag with NHSE.
OTHER UPDATES
DCHS comms - A message from DCHS Dr Ian Lawrence (Clinical Director for Integration) and Hazel Lea (Comms team). DCHS are looking to improve their communication with Derbyshire General Practices and keep you informed about our restoration and recovery plans. For those who have not already done so, please complete this short 2 minute survey by Friday 24 July if possible please. Thank you!
Local Pharmaceutical Committee - Jackie Buxton has asked for the Community Pharmacy update to be circulated
Possible Scam emails – We have been alerted regarding NHS England Ratable Value Reduction emails circulating. We are unsure if these are genuine and are not from NHS.net accounts.
PPE – Surgical gowns supplier (attached)
GENERAL PRACTICE TASK FORCE, DERBYSHIRE
As we settle into a new post COVID-19 world, the wider support available through GPTF to all elements of general practice is being revitalized. We will be publishing updates of future events:
- Mid-Career Virtual Workshop for GPs. 22nd September 14:00-16:00. Full details here .
- Derbyshire Education Network Sessions – Virtual via Microsoft Teams:
- COVID planning for practices – Opportunity to join and share ideas practice ideas in a small peer coaching group. Email: Claire.leggett1@nhs.net
GPTF Fellowship Update
GPTF Fellow Dr Shehla Imtiaz-Umer, founder of the HUGG Project (Helping us grow generations of GPs in Derbyshire) has submitted her abstract to the Society ofor Academic Primary Care meeting . You can read more here .
Sending our best wishes to you and your General Practice teams.