Page last updated: 30 July, 2020, 2:46pm
E-briefing (Issue 29) – 29 April 2020
Welcome to the COVID-19 e-briefing to support GP practices across mid and south Essex with operational information and advice.
Note: all previous bulletins can be found here.
Please note: this e-briefing will now be sent on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons so that a summary of the broadcast teleconferences on the respective days can be added to avoid a delay in sharing that information with those unable to dial in. A new website will be launching soon that will include all information from the COVID-19 primary care briefings to support future communications. Please continue to share any thoughts about how we can improve this e-briefing by using the ‘send feedback’ button below.
In the issue:
- Important: update on 2ww referrals
- Important bank holiday information
- Second phase of NHS response to COVID-19
- Notes from primary care broadcasts
- PPE guidance update
- PPE provision and allocation for Essex
- Monitoring and supply of vitamin k antagonists
- Community services: community bed update
- Hospice support and advice lines
- Free exercise classes to keep people active
- Mental health resources for children under 10
- Information on the Essex domestic abuse helpline
- Webinar: coordinating in a crisis - a focus on primary care
Important: update on 2WW referrals
A message from you Macmillan GPs
Please see below communications for our Macmillan GPs regarding 2ww referrals. Some information has been sent previously in the 15th April 2020 e-bulletin. Since then, we have each had lots of separate queries and so feel it’s really important to clarify the points in the communication.
More information fromMacmillan Cancer Support
Important bank holiday information
RE: 8 May bank holiday – it has been agreed to only operate respiratory hubs, extended access and IC24 to cover on this day. Note – the impact will be reviewed to inform decision making re. second bank holiday on 25 May.
Reminder: information about claims for staffing on the Easter Bank Holiday Friday and Monday are included in the below letter.
Download claims information
Support with Day to Day issues
Second phase of NHS response to COVID-19
Simon Stevens, NHS Chief Executive and Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Operating Officer have published a letter today outlining the second phase of NHS response to COVID-19. Please do take time to read this letter. For key points about what this means for primary care, please read the latest national COVID-19 primary care bulletin.
Read second phase response letter
Notes from primary care broadcasts
Please click on the buttons below to download the notes from the primary care broadcast teleconferences which took place on 27 and 29 April 2020.
PPE Guidance update
There are a few updates to some of the guidance. Click below for a one page summary for primary care. The main changes are:
- enhanced PPE recommendations for a wide range of health and social care contexts
- inclusion of individual and organisational risk assessment at local level to inform PPE use
- recommendation of single sessional (extended) use of some PPE items
- re-usable PPE can be used. Advice on suitable decontamination arrangements should be obtained from the manufacturer, supplier or local infection control
- guidance for when case status is unknown and SARS-CoV-2 is circulating at high levels
- recommendation on patient use of facemasks
- recommendation on the use of disposable fluid repellent coveralls as an alternative to long sleeved fluid repellent gowns for aerosol generating procedures or when working in higher risk acute areas. Staff need to be trained in the safe removal of coveralls [10 April 2020].
PPE provision and allocation for Essex
Information and advice on the supplies of personal protective equipment during the coronavirus outbreak. Note – we have also been alerted to a COVID –19 Fraud Alert re. PPE Suppliers – see below
Monitoring and supply of vitamin K antagonists
MSE Hospitals Group Anticoagulation Clinics: Monitoring and supply of Vitamin k antagonists (such as warfarin). Note: During the Covid-19 pandemic the hospital monitoring and supply provision responsibilities for ongoing vitamin K antagonist anticoagulation e.g. warfarin will remain the same as existing arrangements. Patients will be referred to the appropriate phlebotomy service by the anticoagulation clinics. All patients will be contacted by the anticoagulant service to notify them of the current process. The anticoagulation service can be contacted as follows:
Broomfield Hospital Anticoagulation Clinic
Patient enquiries:
Telephone: 01245 516513 (Tue/Fri only 08.00-16.00)
GP enquiries:
Email: [email protected] (accessed Tues / Fri only)
BTUH Anticoagulation Clinic
Patient enquiries:
Telephone: 01268 394880
GP enquiries:
Email: [email protected]
Southend Hospital Anticoagulation Clinic
Patient enquiries:
Telephone: 01702 385197
GP enquiries:
Email: [email protected]
Updates from Wider System in Mid and South Essex
Community services: community bed update
Find more information on service and pathway changes at Brentwood Community Hospital and Braintree Community Hospital. In addition, find more information on changes at Halstead Hospital and the Mayfield Unit at Thurrock Community Hospital.
For information
Hospice support and advice lines
Details of generic telephone information and support services from local hospices:
- EACH (East Anglia Children’s Hospices) – Contact our Head Office Tel: 01223 800 800.
- Farleigh (mid Essex) – Advice Line: 01245 455478
- Havens Hospices (south east Essex) – Contact us 24 hours a day on 01702 220350
- Marie Curie – Marie Curie Support Line Call us free on 0800 090 2309 to speak to a trained member of team, or book to speak to one later
- St Luke’s (Basildon) – Telephone : 01268 526 259 (24 hours)
- Saint Francis (Romford) – You can call our Specialist Advice Line, 24/7, 365 days a year on 01708 758643 to speak to a Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Free exercise classes to keep people active from active Essex
Visit the Active Essex link to see their exercise timetable can be accessed below.
Mental health resources for children under 10
This COVID-19 pack has been put together by the Early Intervention team in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in NHS Grampian to help children manage any feelings they may have about coronavirus.
Download resources
Information on the Essex domestic abuse helpline
See below information on Compass, the domestic abuse helpline.
More information
Webinar: Coordinating in a crisis - a focus on primary care
NHS Confederation’s PCN Network are hosting a webinar on Thursday 7 May, 12.30-13.30, aimed at CCG primary care leads and PCN clinical directors. The webinar will support members to:
- share best practice on what good looks like when coordinating the local primary care response to COVID-19 - focusing on the priority actions
- identify what local leadership and relationships need to be developed and / or enhanced between PCNs and their commissioners
- identify areas for further support
- have dedicated time with our speakers to exchange ideas and ask questions.
Register for the webinar
Primary Care-Related Enquiries:
Please direct all primary care queries relating to COVID-19 via [email protected]. These emails are reviewed routinely by all of the local CCG Primary Care Teams through-out the day, 7 days a week, and responses prioritised.