6 October 2020

Dear colleagues,

We understand there have been questions around how healthcare workers use the NHS COVID-19 Test and Trace App while at work. NHS Test and Trace App guidance has been circulated to you which should help alleviate any concerns or questions your staff may have. In summary, the guidance says:

• healthcare workers are encouraged to download the NHS COVID-19 app to help the fight against coronavirus
• healthcare workers should use the ‘pause’ contact-tracing function on the app when they are in healthcare buildings including hospitals and GP surgeries
• healthcare workers are still able to use some of the app’s functionality while the app contact-tracing feature is paused, should they wish i.e. checking into canteens.

Please distribute the full guidance to your staff. Further questions on how healthcare workers can use the NHS COVID-19 app are answered on the NHS Test and Trace website.

Nikki and Ed

Primary care

Clinical validation of surgical waiting lists framework and supporting tools

On 18 September 2020, we wrote to systems explaining what is required for the clinical prioritisation of surgical waiting lists. We have now published the clinical validation of surgical waiting lists framework and supporting tools, designed to support systems to clinically validate their waiting lists and establish patient’s wishes regarding treatment. This project is centred around making the best mutually agreed decisions with patients regarding their treatment and is not an exercise to reduce numbers on waiting lists.

The priority is to contact all patients on an admitted pathway by 23 October 2020 to establish their wishes about their preferred next steps. The patient’s GP practice will be notified of the outcomes of discussions regarding their procedure.

Update: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme and Glucose monitoring

The NHS Diabetes Programme has published and disseminated a letter outlining the recent updates to the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme for people with Type 2 diabetes and Type 1 diabetes glucose monitoring. It includes details on the new self-referral model into Healthier You, an update on Flash uptake and plans to provide continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for pregnant women.

Now open: Reimbursement scheme for the Immigration Health Surcharge

The Department of Health and Social Care launched the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) reimbursement service on 1 October 2020.

Applicants are eligible if:

• they are a non-tier 2 visa holder and have paid the IHS; or
• they have paid the IHS; and
• they have worked in a health or social care role for at least an average of 16 hours per week since 31 March 2020.

Applicants must provide payslips for the period they are claiming reimbursement for. Visit the IHS website to start a claim.

Case study: Primary Care Network - Bootle PCN partners ‘buddy up’ to support patient safety

In our latest case study, read how longstanding links and mutual trust between the Bootle PCN’s partners allowed them to act at speed to protect patients safely when the coronavirus pandemic hit.

General practice

One career, endless opportunities #ChooseGP

Applications for the first round of the 2021 GP specialty training opens on the 2 November – 1 December 2020. Please ‘like’ and follow the #ChooseGP Facebook page to keep up to date with news and views. Please forward this information to any doctors who may be thinking about career options. The GP National Recruitment Office (GPNRO) website is the place to go for more information or we have a number of GPs and trainees who are able to help with local or general enquiries. Email Daryl at gprecruitment@hee.nhs.uk to be put in touch.

Dentistry

Sign up: NHS dentistry and oral health bulletin

This October, we are launching a new NHS dentistry and oral health bulletin, which will include a roundup of all the latest news and important resources for anyone working in NHS dental services. We will still share important content in this bulletin. 

Dates for your diary

Wednesday 7 October, 7pm - 8pm. GP Fellowship Scheme webinar

Thursday 8 October, 12pm - 1:30pm. New PCN care coordinators webinar

8 - 9 October. UK Annual Social Prescribing Link Worker Day Awards and Conference. A virtual awards ceremony and conference is set to mark the day.

Tuesday 13 October, 11am - 12pm. Building back from COVID-19: Involving citizens in the next phase of pandemic response

Thursday 15 October, 5pm - 6pm. Save the date: General Practice webinar with Ed Waller and Nikki Kanani.

Wednesday 11 November, 9am - 8pm. NHS Confederation: PCN Network virtual conference

12 – 13 November. PCRMM Virtual Conference 2020

Link of the day

General Practice Nursing in London