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25 April 2024
The latest news and updates from NHS England for those working in Primary Care.
General practice
Delivery Plan for Recovering Access to Primary Care: improvement support for general practices
Improvement support is available to general practices to help them embed modern general practice, a core component of the Delivery Plan for Recovering Access to Primary Care. Practices benefit from on-site, in-person support and group-based learning, from improvement specialists.
The support helps practices improve access, care navigation processes and more effectively match capacity to demand. It has had excellent feedback with one GP partner feeding back with: "bringing clarity to chaos, giving us confidence to change and the motivation to get stuff done”.
Places for 2024/25 are limited and nominations are being managed via ICBs to increase links to local support. Sessions begin in July and interested practices should contact their ICB, or email england.pctgpip@nhs.net for further information.
Prescription and administration of contraceptive injections
GP practices are reminded that the prescription and administration of contraceptive injections (eg. Depo Provera, Sayana Press and Noristerat) in general practice forms part of the core GP contract.
If a practice provides essential services, then they should be providing contraceptive injections as part of those services when required. Reimbursement is available through the personally administered drugs and appliances provisions in the SFE. The Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP) also covers this activity, see NHS Resolution FAQs.
Prior Notification Lists for Cervical Screening
In preparation for the introduction of the new Cervical Screening Management System (CSMS), which replaces the current call/recall IT system that is accessed by Open Exeter, GP Practices should review email details by 7 June 2024, to continue to receive prior notification list (PNL) reminders.
Practices are asked to check the email address held on Open Exeter, and if it needs to be updated, the practice’s Primary Contact/Primary User on Open Exeter must email pcse.openexeter@nhs.net requesting that the email address for cervical screening PNLs is updated. Please include the practice code/ODS code in the request. Further information can be found on NHS England's website.
New King’s Fund research paper ‘The role of integrated care systems in improving dementia diagnosis’
A recent research paper from the King’s Fund looks at the progress ICSs have made in advancing better, coordinated care by shifting more towards prevention and early intervention, through the lens of dementia in three ICS sites.
The paper identifies enablers of improvement such as strengthening relationships between primary care, memory clinics and services including social care. Opportunities identified for ICSs to further improve diagnosis and care include through visible cross system leadership, enhancing links between other parts of the system including mental health, VCSE and community services. The paper is available on the King’s Fund's website.
Primary care
‘Saviours’: how community health and wellbeing workers are helping to tackle health inequalities in England
In a recent blog, Professor Bola Owolabi, Director of NHS England’s National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme, talks about the pivotal role community health and wellbeing workers (CHWWs) are playing in helping to narrow the inequalities gap, serving some of the most deprived communities across the country. Recruited locally and integrated into the local GP practice, CHWWs are embedded in the heart of their communities, helping many at risk of falling through the cracks access vital health and care support. Read the blog on NHS England’s website.
Raising awareness of Lyme disease
Lyme Disease UK's annual awareness campaign, 'Wake Up To Lyme' is running throughout Lyme Disease Awareness Month this May. The campaign aims to raise awareness of how to prevent tick bites, how to safely remove ticks, and the importance of early treatment for people who become unwell, following a bite.
Get involved
World Hand Hygiene Day 2024 – 5 May
Hand hygiene is vital to help stop the spread of harmful germs in healthcare settings. Standard infection control precautions (SICPs) are to be used by all staff, in all care settings, at all times, to ensure the safety of those being cared for, staff and visitors in the care environment. The World Health Organisation (WHO) will run its annual global webinar on 6 May, discussing the value of IPC and hand hygiene education and training. Find out more on their website.
NHS ConfedExpo 2024, 12 and 13 June, Manchester Central
The conference programme for NHS ConfedExpo 2024 is now available, with a wide range of sessions to choose from, delivered by inspiring speakers covering some of the most important developments and opportunities across health and care. Tickets are free for NHS, local authority and wider public sector staff.
The event will bring together senior leaders and their teams to discuss key issues, share learning and best practice and make valuable new connections. Book your pass today and follow @ConfedExpo on Twitter for the latest news about the event.
Social prescribing conference and awards
Hosted by the National Academy for Social Prescribing and the Social Prescribing Network, the 5th International Social Prescribing Conference will take place on 19-20 June and focus on innovation in social prescribing – with a fantastic range of speakers and panellists. Book your tickets or submit an abstract to showcase your work.
Nominations are also open for the 2024 Social Prescribing Awards, which will be presented at the conference. Categories include Best Social Prescribing Link Worker Team/Service, Best Children and Young People Social Prescribing Project, and Social Prescribing Link Worker of the Year. Please enter by noon on Friday 10 May.
Upcoming webinars and events
- 20 May – 25 June, various dates: Working with and supporting PPV Partners and PPV Partner ‘drop in’ sessions, as part of the People and Communities Online Learning Programme
- 13 May, 1pm: NIHR webinar: mental health crises: research to improve care
- 15 May, 7pm: The Future of Primary Care In Conversation With Dr Lucy Martin
- 22 May – 13 April: Society for Occupational Medicine, with the Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Health and Social Care Joint Work and Health Directorate webinar series: What are the key considerations for effective and integrated Work and Health services?
- 24 May: Link Worker Day
- 12 - 13 June: NHS ConfedExpo 2024
- 19-20 June: 5th International Social Prescribing Conference
Catch up
Missed a recent national webinar? You can view slides and recordings below:
