COVID-19 Primary Care bulletin

21 May 2020

COVID-19: today's round-up for primary care

Dear colleagues,

Thank you all once again for your efforts to provide support to care homes during this time.

We have been asked to provide further clarity on some of the components set out in the letter of 1 May on primary care and community health service support to care homes. One question has been around the operation of the weekly ‘check in’ for smaller care homes (e.g. with fewer than 10 residents) where the residents are clinically stable. In these circumstances, the weekly ‘check in’ may take the form of a discussion (which may be by telephone or video call) with the care home manager to discuss whether any residents are a clinical priority for assessment, review or care that week, and if – on the basis of this discussion and any further clinical information available – no resident is considered to be a clinical priority for review that week, then the weekly ‘check in’ may be concluded. This does not affect the need to ensure a process for personalised care and support planning is in place for these residents, as well as appropriate pharmacy and medication support.

A reminder also to join tonight’s webinar at 5pm which will focus on care homes and, as always, to submit your questions in advance.

Nikki and Ed

General Practice

Legionella and Pseudomonas Risks

There is the risk of legionella and pseudomonas proliferation in little used water systems, that can lead to disease transmission through aerosol from taps and showers. This is particularly likely where rooms or buildings have remained dormant. This is especially the case when ambient temperatures are above 20 degrees, as has been the case in the UK over recent months.

Please make yourself aware of HSE Guidance on this issue and HTM 04-01 Safe Water Management in Healthcare Premises – Part B Operational Management. These links provide information on your duties and how to manage legionella and pseudomonas proliferation through: temperature controls; flushing outlets; and chlorination of systems. Please pay particular attention to how to bring little used outlets back into use without causing harm to yourself or others. 

GP contraceptive services for patients to continue during COVID-19 pandemic

GP practices are reminded that those contraceptive services provided to patients as part of the GP contract essential services should continue to be provided during the current Covid-19 pandemic. In case some women are not getting access to the contraception they need during Covid-19, we wanted to draw your attention to new information on sexual and reproductive health for patients and some further information for professionals. These include adapted guidance for the provision of emergency and routine contraception and abortion during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Caring for people most vulnerable to COVID-19 in Thanet, NHS Kent and Medway

Health and Care services in Thanet, East Kent have extended their Acute Reponse Team (ART) service to help care homes and those caring for patients in their own homes to better cope with extra demands. They have extended the ART hours and adapted the shift pattern for GPs. The team provides face-to-face assessments and responds to patients’ needs. They are in touch daily with care homes and provide overall guidance on all aspects of medical care including isolation. 

Community pharmacy

Wellbeing and accessing support during the COVID-19 pandemic - a ‘where to start guide’ for pharmacy staff

The current and future challenges around COVID-19 present us with significant personal and professional matters to cope with. Therefore, it is especially important for us to look after ourselves and each other. The NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service with London NW University Healthcare NHS Trust have developed "wellbeing and accessing support during the COVID-19 pandemic - a ‘where to start guide’ for pharmacy staff". This includes resources to encourage all staff to establish good habits with respect to their wellbeing from the outset and provides some immediate ‘go-to’ strategies and information to support ongoing wellbeing during the pandemic.

Dentistry

NHS workforce feedback hub

NHS England and NHS Improvement have opened an online feedback hub so that its leaders can listen and respond to the needs and experiences of the NHS workforce at this unprecedented time. We have already received several important contributions from NHS dentists and are seeking to further boost participation from the dental community. The hub is private and anonymous, and is being run by Ipsos MORI, the independent research organisation. It is open to anyone working in the NHS. Learn more and register.

The most recent guidance letter and standard operating procedure for oral health professionals is available on our website.

Optometry

The most recent guidance letter for optical staff is available on our website.

Additional information

NHS expands offer of help to people with diabetes during the coronavirus outbreak

People living with diabetes face a significantly higher risk of dying with COVID-19 with a third of deaths in England associated with the condition, according to new NHS research. The health service in England has called on people with diabetes to access help available to them, including a new dedicated helpline and online tools to help manage the condition during the outbreak. Due to be published this week, the world-leading studies reveal that people living with type 1 diabetes are at three and a half times the risk, and people living with type 2 are at double the risk of dying in hospital with the virus, compared to people without diabetes.

Dates for your diary 

Thursday 21 May, 5-6pm - GP Webinar with Nikki and Ed focusing on care homes (submit your questions in advance)

Tuesday 26 May, 5-6pm - Update on Direct Booking into General Practice from NHS 111 & CCAS via GP connect. Presenters include Dr Phil Koczan, GP and Digital Clinical Champion and Michelle McDermott, GP Connect Lead

Wednesday 27 May, 1-2pm – Digital Nurse Network webinar 14 Presenters: Helen Crowther RN, Ann Gregory RN and CNIO for NHSX and Dr Natasha Phillips R

Wednesday 27 May, 12.30-1:30pm – The PCN DES:  discussion for the undecided. Presenters include Dr Richard Vautrey, Chair, BMA General Practice Committee (GPC), Dr Tayo Kufeji, GP and Clinical Director for The Bridge PCN, Ed Waller, Director for Primary Care Strategy and NHS Contracts, NHS E & NHS I, Dr Josephine Sauvage, Chair, NHS Islington CCG.

Nikki and Ed's link of the day

The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI): Minimum Bridging Competencies for General Practice Nurses Transitioning to Community Nursing