WELCOME TO OUR JUNE 2023 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. 

LMC Conference Successes

We have enjoyed successful PCN and Practice Manager's conferences this month - both held at The Lion Inn, Boreham. We had over fifty Clinical Directors and staff at the PCN conference, whilst our Practice Manager conference saw almost 100 attendees present. We hope that everyone that attended either of these conferences found the day useful, and we look forward to welcoming you once again to our conferences in 2024.

Care Navigation Training Programme

The delivery plan for recovering access to primary care, published last month, committed to training 6,500 staff (one person from every practice in the country) in care navigation skills.

Practice and PCN managers are now being asked to nominate one member of staff, ideally reception staff and care navigators involved in triaging requests, to complete the virtual care navigation training. Managers can book on nominated individuals now with sessions starting from 10 July. It’s anticipated that this will be a popular programme and that spaces will fill up quickly.

On completion, individuals will be confident to communicate effectively with patients and be able to signpost to the most relevant team member or local services depending on patient needs. An advanced training offer will be available at a later date for those with experience of care navigation who can support and embed it into practices and networks for sustainability and standardisation.

If you have any questions please email carenavigationtraining@england.nhs.uk

QOF Target Questionnaire Reminder

The LMC continues to be aware of the difficulties that some practices experience in achieving the Childhood Vaccinations and Immunisations QOF targets because of not being able to exception report for parental refusals or missing the schedule deadline due to new registrations.

We continue to be keen to understand the extent of the problem in Essex and, if you are a practice affected by this, we would be grateful if you could complete our short questionnaire in order for us to collate such information that will be shared with GPC to further inform ongoing discussions with NHS England.

We ask for all affected practices, where possible, to supply this information to us through our questionnaire.

A chance to win a £30 Amazon voucher

The University of Sheffield are conducting some research into eye movement problems as part of a PhD. Part of this learning is to understand the referral pathway for patients with eye movement problems and diplopia from primary to secondary care. 

The University need GPs’ help to understand how patient's eye movement problems are assessed, and ask for the below survey to be completed. Those that complete the survey will be entered into a draw for a chance to win an Amazon voucher.

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. 

Appointments in General Practice

Through NHS Digital, we are able to obtain data on appointments that have taken place in general practice across Essex. The data that we can extrapolate is useful for us to see how many appointments have been offered in a month, and how many patients were seen face to face for example.

We now produce appointment data flyers that can be displayed in your practice. Please see below for more information.

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.

Practice Manager Supporter Scheme

"It is a fantastic service, thank you."

“Amazing service and Katie's knowledge of Primary Care is excellent, I learnt a lot from today's session and I hope to be able to book her again soon”.

"Very grateful to be seen within 24hrs of my request, it really helped me through a current difficult time."

"Really helpful and supportive for a new PM."

"Fantastic service for new managers."

“PMSS is a great scheme, well thought and very helpful to new practice managers. The PM role of is quite challenging, especially after the pandemic, but knowing that there’s always someone with experience offering help and advice in no time is an absolute godsend. Trish has been an excellent adviser for some of my challenges, she’s professional and very approachable. I hope the scheme will continue to offer much needed support the PM role. Thank you!”

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Just some of the comments above that we have received for our Practice Manager Supporter Scheme. Are you a Practice Manager or a Deputy Practice Manager and in need of support?

Essex LMCs launched the PMSS in December 2021.  In the event that you may have missed details of the scheme, please click below, which tells you about the service. This is free to access and is available to all Practice Managers and Assistant/Deputy Practice Managers in Essex. 

Peer to Peer Support

Support can be offered in person, virtually or on the telephone. All support requests are strictly confidential between you and your supporter. It is important to note that the supporters are not able to offer any legal advice but can signpost their colleagues towards useful resources and assistance.

Peer to Peer Appraisal

A Peer to Peer (Practice Manager to Practice Manager) appraisal scheme is now available for all. The service has been fully funded by all the Essex ICBs, so there will be no cost to you or the practice. It is a useful professional development tool, and  will be an opportunity to think about what you have/want to accomplish professionally and help you to define your goals.  

Essex LMCs on Social Media

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