COVID-19 Primary Care bulletin

21 April 2020

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

Dear primary care colleagues,

The Pharmacy Clinical Assessment Service (CAS) continues to build on the initial phase launched last Friday. The CAS is run by South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) as part of the COVID-19 CAS response to support the NHS 111 and IUC response to the pandemic. Pharmacists from a range of backgrounds have volunteered to work remotely including staff from community pharmacy providers and returners to practice.

A number of NHS 111/IUC partners across the network have supported the set up and design of the CAS so that the operating model can be optimised and  build on the learning from the NHS England and Improvement Pharmacy Integration Fund IUC programme. Derby University has made available short introductory course modules and material taken from the IUC Pharmacist course commissioned jointly by NHSE&I and Health Education England. This will be available to pharmacists to underpin their practice and provide access to other IUC pharmacists to act as mentors and buddies as the Pharmacy CAS develops.

Nikki and Ed

General practice 

Reducing the burden of fit notes during Covid-19
Individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 or those having to self-isolate due to residing with someone with COVID-19 symptoms can obtain an Isolation Note in line with current guidance.

For non COVID-19 health conditions, employers may still insist on fit notes for payment of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or Occupational Sick Pay (OSP). A fit note with a wet signature (defined as ‘other medical evidence’ required by Medical Evidence Regulations) can be scanned and emailed to a patient. GPs should give due consideration of GDPR with necessary consent in place, guidance to employers will be updated to reflect this.

If an employer insists on a paper copy fit note, this can be posted to the patient. GPs can issue fit notes for a clinically appropriate time, in line with existing guidance.
 

Community pharmacy

Movement of pharmacy employees between their residence and place of work
The RPS and GPhC has produced a letter to support the legitimate movement of pharmacy employees  between their home and place of work.  

Metropolitan police guidance: community pharmacy security
The Metropolitan police has issued guidance specifically for community pharmacy premises offering advice on security of premises, and safety and well-being of staff and customers during the pandemic.

Dentistry 

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.

Dates for your diary 

Regular primary care webinars
22 April, 7-8pm: Community pharmacy webinar with Keith Ridge and Ed Waller. It will include updates on Covid-19 testing by Dr Aidan Fowler, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health and Social Care and a regulatory update from Duncan Rudkin, Chief Executive of the General Pharmaceutical Council.

23 April, 5-6pm: Primary care webinar with Nikki and Ed Waller. It will feature a range of updates including a focus on homeless and inclusion health with Olivia Butterworth, Lead on Homeless Health COVID-19 response for NHS England and NHS Improvement and Dr Caroline Shulman, GP in Homeless and Inclusion Health Kings Health Partnership Pathway Homeless team & Honorary Senior Lecturer, UCL.

Digital First webinars on practical steps that practices should take to establish a total triage model:

23 April, 4.30-5pm: using accuRx throughout COVID19 for video consultations 

24 April, 11-12pm: HETT: The prolific digitalisation of primary care in response to COVID-19 

28 April, 12:30-1pm: giving your patients access to online services remotely 
 

Coaching support webinars

24 April, 3pm: Coaching support launch webinar

Nikki and Ed's Link of the Day

COVID-19 and Ramadan