Page last updated: 31 March, 2021, 11:00am
Primary Care E-bulletin (Issue 127) – 19 March
Click here to view web browser version of this briefing.
Welcome to the latest edition of our e-briefing to support GP practices across mid and south Essex.
If you think these e-briefings could be improved, please use the ‘send feedback’ button (below) to share your thoughts.
Previous bulletins can be found on the MSE healthcare professional website.
There is also a search function (on top-right of the website) to help you find specific content.
In this Issue:
- IT update: AccuRX, Away from My Desk and Doctorlink
- COVID-19 Updates
- Workforce data – reminder to practices and PCNs
- Planned changes to local Phlebotomy Services
- Mid and South Essex Quality Improvement e-Learning
- Supporting Primary Care Network staff in the East of England
- New series of TEDxNHS events for NHS colleagues
- Blog: Tackling the mental health tsunami: joint working between PCNs and mental health providers
- Making the most of video group clinics in outpatients
- Low carb lifestyle education site for patients
Visit MSE Healthcare Professional Website
IT update: AccuRX, Away from My Desk and Doctorlink
Please find a link below to download an IT update focused on AccRX, Away from My Desk and Doctorlink.
If you have any questions please contact the Mid and South Essex IT Digital team at: [email protected].
More information
Day to Day Support
COVID-19 Updates
Slides from COVID-19 Vaccination Programme Update, 19 March
You can download the slide deck presented by William Guy during today’s Teams Live webinar regarding the local COVID-19 vaccination programme below.
MHRA response to Danish, Norwegian and Icelandic authorities’ action to temporarily suspend the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine
This is a precautionary measure by the Danish, Norwegian and Icelandic authorities. It has not been confirmed that the report of a blood clot was caused by the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine. People should still go and get their COVID-19 vaccine when asked to do so. More information is available here.
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and blood clots: review of safety data
Note: in a review of all available safety data from over 17 million people vaccinated with AstraZeneca vaccine in UK and EU, there was no evidence of an increased risk of blood clots among people vaccinated with its vaccine.
Next steps for the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable
The current advice to patients identified as clinically extremally vulnerable (CEV) is to shield until 31 March 2021. As this date approaches, the Department of Health and Social Care is writing to patients to inform them of next steps once current guidance expires.
The letter confirms that shielding will be paused from 1 April. It should be noted that the letter recommends that extra precautions are still taken by individuals, even after they receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Nationally, NHSE/I will continue to update the Shielded Patient List, so it is important that you continue to add and remove patients (as appropriate), as it may be necessary to identify this cohort in the future. Details on how to add and remove people from the SPL are available in full on NHS Digital’s website.
COVID-19 vaccinations for unpaid carers
Reminder: Unpaid carers in Essex, aged 16 and over, are now eligible to receive the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination. Practices are now able to signpost calls/enquiries they receive from carers who are not registered on GP systems to the National Booking Service or call 119 where they can complete a self-assessment.
Workforce data – reminder to practices and PCNs
NHS Digital will extract the latest general practice and PCN workforce data from the National Workforce Reporting System (NWRS) on Wednesday 31 March, covering changes between 1 January and 31 March. Practices and PCNs should review their records and make any updates, including recording GP locums (practices) or new ARRS staff (PCNs), before then. This is a contractual requirement and is crucial for planning new workforce supply and support to primary care teams.
Information on how to register and use the NWRS is available on the NHS Digital website with the latest published practice and PCN statistics.
Updates from the Wider System in Mid and South Essex
Planned changes to local Phlebotomy Services
In a bid to reduce footfall to local hospitals, MSE Trust is looking to make permanent changes to the location of their phlebotomy services.
The planned moves will see:
- The service previously provided at Southend Hospital (currently temporarily housed at Haven’s Hospice) move to Victoria Plaza in Southend Town Centre.
- The service previously provided at Broomfield Hospital (currently temporarily housed in Christchurch Hall) move to the Fairfield Centre which is based in the Chelmsford Bus Terminal Shopping Complex.
- The service currently provided at Basildon Hospital to the Eastgate Centre in Basildon Town Centre.
This will only affect routine, booked phlebotomy appointments and will not affect specialist blood tests or tests which are undertaken at the same time as an outpatient’s appointment at the hospital. This only affects the services provided at the main hospital sites, existing community-based locations will remain as is.
Education and Training
Mid and South Essex Quality Improvement e-Learning
As a system we are recommending an e-learning Quality Improvement training programme, from the Improvement Academy. This is a certificated course available to all employees who work in any health, care or CVS organisation across mid and south Essex to improve capability and skills to help deliver more targeted and effective services to the communities we serve.
Supporting Primary Care Network staff in the East of England
These events will focus on the new landscape for primary care, challenges that staff may be facing, the role of training hubs and presentations regarding new roles in PCN’s, such as Physician Associates, AHP’s & Social Prescribing.
There are limited places available for these dates, and they will be given on a first come first served basis, so please book early!
The dates of the events are as follows:
- Wednesday 24 March, 13:30 – 15:00
- Wednesday 14 April, 09:30 – 11:00
If you would like to attend one of these events, please sign up using our website. The links for the events can be found here: 24 March, 14 April.
New series of TEDxNHS events for NHS colleagues
TEDxNHS, which was set up by two NHS clinicians, is launching a brand-new series of virtual live TED talks that are aimed specifically at health and social care audiences to spread ideas through the power of storytelling. The three sessions take place in March and April and cover tackling inequalities; mental health; and understanding and talking about palliative care. More information on the events and how to book are available here.
Blog: Tackling the mental health tsunami: joint working between PCNs and mental health providers
It is an open secret that one of the biggest impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic is the large rise in mental health problems in our communities, writes Dr Tayo Kufeji, clinical director of The Bridge MK PCN, as he explains how his GP practice has been tackling the rising need.
Making the most of video group clinics in outpatients
Join this one-hour webinar as we discuss clinicians’ experiences of introducing video group clinics for cancer care reviews to support people living with cancer, and how this remote care model patients is helping to restore joy to remote consultations, create time and build service resilience through person centred digital transformation.
For Information
Low carb lifestyle education site for patients
This “low carb lifestyle” education site, set up by local GPs Dr. D, Oliver and K. Andrews aims to help patients lose weight – especially patients with diabetes and chronic illnesses. Please feel free to direct any patients that this would be appropriate for to this web page for weight loss and diet advice.
NHSE Primary Care COVID-19 Bulletin
Click here to access NHS England’s latest primary care Covid-19 bulletins
For the latest advice and guidance around coronavirus for clinicians, please visit the NHS England website.