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WELCOME TO OUR JUNE 2024 NEWSLETTER
This publication is sent to all Essex GP Practices via their Practice Managers. However, we encourage anyone who would like to receive this communication directly, to subscribe below.
Practice Manager Conference
We would like to say thank you to everyone who attended our Practice Manager conference on Tuesday 25 June at The Lion House, Boreham. A special thank you to our guest speakers and sponsors.
We thoroughly hope that you all enjoyed the day and we look forward to seeing you again at our next event.
GPC England ballot for GP contractors/partners now open
Protect Your Patients, Protect Your Practice
Vote YES and use the BMA GP Practice Survival Toolkit
The ballot to Save General Practice has now opened. GPC are holding this non-statutory ballot because general practice has been deliberately broken. Over 1,300 practices have been lost, and thousands more GPs with them. Funding for essential practice services has eroded to the tune of £660 million and successive sub-inflationary uplifts have threatened practices’ viability. With almost 2000 fewer FTE GPs compared with a decade ago, and an additional 6.4million patients it is no surprise that patient dissatisfaction has doubled in the past five years.
In the referendum earlier this year, almost every single one of you said a firm NO to the new contract and you were ignored by the Government, who have refused to make any improvements or give general practice any more resources.
This ballot is open to all GP contractors and partner BMA members in England.
The Ballot Question:
‘Are you prepared to undertake one or more examples of collective action as outlined in the BMA campaign to Protect Your Patients, Protect Your Practice?’
The Ballot Answer
Vote YES to Take Action to Save General Practice.
Vote YES to protect your practice and to protect your patients.
GPC are not asking you to breach your contact, but they are asking you to take a stand.
Please look out for an email from bma@cesvotes.com which will allow you to vote.
The ballot closes on 29 July ahead of action commencing from Thursday 1 August.
GPC England Letter
GPC England have released a template letter on the planned COVID vaccination programme and seasonal flu programme for 2024/25.
The letter was drafted by GPC England and highlights their position on both these programmes, and this can be viewed on our website.
Changes to Cameron Fund Support and Summer Newsletter
Over the last few years, the Cameron Fund has faced a huge increase in demand from GPs and GP Registrars in financial hardship. Unfortunately, this increase in demand has not been matched by an increase in income.
Last year, the Cameron Fund were were able to meet the demand by using their reserves, but this is not sustainable in the long-term. The Board of Trustees has looked long and hard at this situation and has made efforts to boost investment income along with a detailed review of all aspects of expenditure.
Their changes in support letter is available on our website which details the changes made to their support package.
The Cameron Fund have also released their summer newsletter.
PCRM System Replaces NHAIS (Exeter) System
PCSE recently wrote to practices in the Essex area to inform about the PCRM system.
NHS England have implemented a new national IT system, Primary Care Registration Management (PCRM), which replaces the National Health Application and Infrastructure Services (NHAIS) system, also known as ‘Exeter.’
Registration transactions submitted via the GP links from practices in the Essex area of the NHS Mid and South Essex, Suffolk and North East Essex and Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Boards will be processed using PCRM from 4 June 2024.
Full information is available on the link below, and if you have any questions about this information, please get in touch with PCSE using the Contact us form here, choose the Patient Registrations (GP Practice use only) new enquiry.
GP leaders have voted to ballot on potential collective action in England.
The ballot will be open to GP contractors/partners and, if there is a majority vote, then doctors will be able to take action immediately; the BMA will not direct GPs to breach their contracts in this initial phase.
The ballot will open on Monday 17 June and close on Monday 29 July ahead of action commencing from Thursday 1 August. Please log in to bma.org.uk to make sure your personal details, job roles, place of work and best contact email are correct. If you experience any issues, please email gpcontract@bma.org.uk for support.
GP Contract Roadshow Events in June and July
Across June and July, the GPC England officer team will be undertaking over 20 events nationwide, hosted by regional LMC leaders.
They will be presenting the GPC England manifesto and sharing the BMA GP practice survival toolkit to protect your practice and protect your patients. These face-to-face events provide the perfect opportunity to hear about the menu of actions, understand the ballot, and give you an opportunity to ask any questions. You can also take campaign resources and goodies back to your practice.
These events are free and open to:
- All holders of a GP contract
- Every GP and GP registrar
- Practice managers
- Practice nurses
You do NOT need to be a BMA member to attend. Please encourage your colleagues who are not members to register too.
Practice Manager Supporter Scheme
The Practice Manager Supporter Scheme (PMSS) offers a dedicated support and advice service to Practice Managers/PCN Managers, recognising the unique challenges they face and helping safeguard their well-being. The Practice Manager Supporters will be there to lend a helping hand, ensuring that Practice/PCN Managers have the resources and guidance they need to navigate the demands of their roles.
Initially set up to support Practice Managers, the scheme has been extended to offer the same support to PCN Managers. Advice, support, and peer to peer Personal Development Reviews are available for new, experienced and assistant/ deputy practice managers and PCN Managers in Essex. All interactions are treated with the utmost confidentiality. The information you share with your chosen supporter remains strictly between you and them.
There are six Practice Managers and one PCN Manager Supporter, who are actively working across different regions of the county. Practice/PCN Managers can benefit from this scheme without any associated costs. Our website provides further information and guidance on how to contact a Supporter.
GP Practice Workforce Data
Using data from NHS Digital, we now provide workforce data for Essex GP Practices, and male/female GP ratio documents, both commencing from November 2022.
Do you need help with PCSE cases?
Have you waited for more than 40 days for a response from PCSE for a case raised with them? Are you experiencing financial hardship as a result? Or, is there a risk to patient safety? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then the LMC can help you.
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