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Primary Care Bulletin - today's round-up
6 January 2021
Dear colleagues,
As announced by the Government on Monday night, England has been placed into a nationwide lockdown. We want to start by saying thank you to all frontline staff who are working tirelessly under significant pressures as the infection rate begins to rise again due to the new coronavirus variant. We understand your frustrations and will do everything we can to help you over the coming weeks and months.
Shielding advice for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people
The Government has reintroduced shielding advice for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) people across all areas of England from 5 January. This shielding advice is expected to be identical to that which was in place nationally from 5 November to 2 December, and which was already in place in areas under Tier 4 restrictions. This advice does not alter if an individual has received the COVID-19 vaccination.
CEV people will be eligible for support to stay at home including free delivery of medicines (where friends, family, or local volunteers are unable to provide help) and statutory sick pay where unable to work from home.
The Government will be writing to all CEV individuals in England to inform them of the advice and support available (including individuals already advised to shield as part of Tier 4 restrictions). This letter will be published here and will emphasise the importance of CEV individuals continuing to engage with the NHS, and confirm that they will be prioritised for the COVID-19 vaccination in advance of the general population (as per current JCVI guidance). It is expected that Government will also be sending text messages and emails to affected patients where the NHS holds the relevant contact information.
We know that this may be a difficult and worrying time for CEV people. We anticipate that patients may have questions about the advice they should follow. We are very grateful for your continued efforts in supporting those at highest risk from COVID-19 during the pandemic and will be in touch to provide further updates as necessary.
The introduction of the new Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine
This week we began the use of the new Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. Another great step forward in protecting our communities from COVID-19. Local vaccination services will begin vaccinating patients with this new vaccine according to supply and we again want to thank you for resilience and adaptability to such a fast-moving programme. Currently the Oxford/AstraZeneca will be delivered through the designated sites.
In response to recent changes the Standard operating procedure: COVID-19 local vaccination services deployment in community settings has been updated.
Raj and Ali
Dr Raj Patel
GP and Deputy Medical Director for Primary Care, NHS England and NHS Improvement
Ali Sparke
Interim Director for Primary Care Covid Response, NHS England and NHS Improvement
COVID-19 updates and guidance
Updated Patient Group Direction for COVID-19 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech)
This Patient Group Direction (PGD) is for the administration of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 30microgams in 0.3ml to individuals in accordance with the national COVID-19 vaccination programme. It was first published on 11 December 2020 and was updated 5 January 2021.
Individual assessment to assist in the creation of a Patient Specific Direction (PSD) for the administration of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine
This Patient Safety Directive Document (PSD) is a key document to support the delivery and administration of the AZ vaccine from 4 January 2021. This document has been developed alongside PHE colleagues to ensure it is consistent with the guidance and is for all sites where the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is being delivered and administered. Please note and use the PSD to be able to deliver the vaccine.
Communicating with people with a learning disability and autism, dementia and mental health needs – COVID-19 guidance
This guidance has been assessed to identify potential equality impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with mental health needs and a learning disability and autistic people. It is acknowledged that people with mental health needs, a learning disability or autism who contract COVID-19 may require reasonable adjustments.
Deployment of COVID-19 Vaccine Oxford/AstraZeneca for pharmacy teams
This letter sent on 31 December 2020 from Keith Ridge, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England, outlines the implications for governance, handling and preparation of the vaccines for pharmacy teams.
Guidance for COVID-19 vaccination in care homes that have cases and outbreaks
There is clear evidence that those living in care homes for older adults (nursing and residential) have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. This guidance outlines the general principles and considerations for vaccinating in care homes that have an outbreak of COVID-19 infection.
Support for Community Pharmacy sites on Pinnacle, Outcomes4Health point of care system webinar - Thursday 7 January 2021, 7-8pm
A webinar has been arranged for community pharmacy sites going live in January to demonstrate to their nominated administrators the Pinnacle, Outcomes4Health point of care system. The focus of the webinar will be to learn how to navigate the landing page to set up users and identify an individual to be vaccinated. This session will demonstrate data capture in sites and to demonstrate administrator functionality.
A MS Teams Live link to join is available via FutureNHS. You do not need to pre-register.
General practice
Recording of ethnicity information
It is now a contractual requirement for GPs to record patients’ ethnicity information in their patient record if that person, or someone authorised on their behalf, chooses to share it. The information, which is optional and does not affect registration, should be recorded in coded form using the available categories, which include ‘prefer not to say’.
Ethnicity information is sensitive personal data and must be processed and used only for medical purposes in accordance with data protection legislation. The GMS and PMS Regulations amendment is online.
2021 GP Patient survey
The 2021 GP Patient survey is now live. Please help to promote it by displaying a downloadable poster or sharing it on social media. Last year, almost 740,000 people gave feedback on around 6,800 GP practices across England. It is a key source of information about the performance of GP practices and CCGs. Due to changes made as a result of COVID-19, it is more important than ever that we hear about experiences of using local GP and health services.
For more information or to request social media resources please contact: england.insight-queries@nhs.net.
Community pharmacy
New pilot launched to support hospital patients to continue to stop smoking after discharge
A new pilot in the Oldham area is testing the referral of patients to community pharmacy, to continue the stop smoking journey they started in hospital, as part of the NHS Long Term Plan commitments.
People can choose the community pharmacy they wish to be referred to on discharge from hospital. After referral, the pharmacist or trained pharmacy team member will arrange an initial consultation to discuss their quit progress and review the nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or medication prescribed by the hospital team and make any necessary adjustments.
Further pilot sites are expected to start in early 2021.The pilot will be evaluated to inform potential inclusion of a smoking cessation service in the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework in the near future.
Dentistry
Dentists to remain open during lockdown
Following Monday night’s announcement from Government, we published a NHS dentistry and oral health update on 4 January providing clarification that dentists will remain open during this current lockdown period.
Primary care
Coaching support for those who lead, manage or organise a team or group in primary care
#LookingAfterYourTeam is a new coaching offer for anyone who has responsibility for a team or group. Individuals, and up to two other collaborators, can benefit from coaching support with highly trained, experienced coaches available by video or telephone Mondays to Saturdays.
You will get access to tailored support that will focus on developing practical strategies and making small improvements to amplify the voice of primary care across the system. Your coach can help you to create the headspace to think about your team or group, acting as a sounding board for your ideas and supporting you to clarify your thinking.
Dates for your diary
Thursday 7 January, 7-8pm: Support for Community Pharmacy sites on Pinnacle, Outcomes4Health point of care system
New year webinars on working with people and communities in PCNs
Our webinar series for colleagues working in primary care networks continues next month, helping PCNs to provide inclusive services for people and communities from the most marginalised groups, who experience the greatest health inequalities. They include:
- Wednesday 13 January 2021 12pm - 1pm. ‘A masterclass on conducting telephone surveys’
- Tuesday 26 January 2021 12pm - 1pm. ‘A masterclass on surveys’
Tuesday 12 January 2021, 1pm - 2pm. COVID Oximetry @home: an overview for primary care.
Wednesday, 13 January 2021. 2pm - 3.30pm. Common Challenges and Proven Solutions for Teledermatology: (Part 2/3)
Link of the day
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