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North & South Essex Local Medical Committees
Welcome to the October 2022 edition of our e-newsletter. This publication is sent to all Essex GP Practices via their Practice Managers. However, we encourage anyone who would like to receive this email directly, to subscribe below.
National Patient Access To Records - Update
The LMC are aware that there have been developments at a national level in regard to the roll out of Access to Patient Records which is scheduled to be implemented from tomorrow, 1st November 2022. It is reported that both TPP and EMIS have announced that they will not be making any practice level system changes tonight and that discussions are ongoing.
Business Skills Workshops
In conjunction with Pfizer, we have arranged a series of workshops aimed at all PCN staff.
The content of these workshops has been fully funded and developed by Pfizer to support NHS organisations to improve services and enhance patient care.
For more information and to book your place on a workshop for just £30.00 (anyone who booked a conference bundle ticket for our recent PCN conference gets free access to all of the workshops), please see below.
Accessible Information Standard
The Accessible Information Standard (AIS) is mandatory for all organisations that provide NHS or adult social care, including NHS trusts and GP practices.
It ensures people with a disability or sensory loss can access and understand information – e.g., in large print or braille, or from a sign language interpreter.
We have a dedicated page on our website for AIS codes and information. Please click on the below...
Cameron Fund Christmas Appeal 2022
On behalf of the Cameron Fund Treasurer, Dr Ian Winterton, we would like to share with you the Cameron Fund Christmas Appeal 2022 letter. We would be very grateful if you could also share this with your members and ask them to consider making a donation. The letter is available on our website.
CQC is changing
CQC are currently developing a new regulatory approach, which will include an equivalent to the factual accuracy process. They would like your input on what works well in the current model and what you would like them to do differently in the future.
They would like practices to complete a survey which before being completed, they ask that you either watch a video of their recent webinar or have a look at their slides.
Essex Wide Primary Care Workforce Racism and Discrimination Survey
Following on from the successful Humberside LMCs’ racism and discrimination report, we invite you to complete the following survey to begin a conversation about racism in primary care. This is supported by the Essex LMCs and ICS colleagues across Essex.
By completing the survey, it offers the chance to share your experiences anonymously to form the basis of recommendations which will then be shared across our systems.
This survey is open to everyone working in primary care across Essex, of any ethnicity or job role, and we would encourage it to be shared with colleagues in order to provide the most representative results possible. It will take between 5-15 minutes to complete.
The survey can be accessed here.
If you have any queries, please email primarycare.workforce@nhs.net or email the Essex LMCs.
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.
Veteran Friendly GP Practice Scheme
The Veteran Friendly practice scheme is accredited and endorsed by the Royal College of General Practitioners.
The scheme’s purpose is to make sure people who are currently, or have ever served in the armed forces, and their families, are not disadvantaged when it comes to getting the healthcare and support they need. This commitment to the Armed Forces Community is primary care implementing the UK national Armed Forces Covenant.
In Essex and Hertfordshire, a challenge has been set for one practice in every Primary Care Network to become accredited as a Veteran Friendly practice by April 2023.
To find out more, please click on the below link.
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."
"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 currently undergoing live testing (Beta testing) and we hope to be able to have this available to all very soon. 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. If you would like to be included in the beta testing phase, please contact Sarah Bell
Essex LMCs on Social Media
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