Page last updated: 28 May, 2020, 3:34pm

Primary Care E-bulletin (Issue 37) - 20 May 2020

In this issue

  • Mid and south Essex broadcast teleconference
  • Reminder: HIE/GP connect
  • Reminder: GP IT update
  • Public-facing resources
  • Re-starting GP referrals
  • Neurology advice and guidance
  • Current ultrasound service locations
  • Access to palliative care drugs
  • Reminder: proactive health checks for people with a learning disability
  • LGBT rights and COVID-19
  • NHS health and wellbeing support for staff
  • Public testing for coronavirus
  • NHSE primary care COVID-19 bulletin

Reminder: Health Information Exchange/GP Connect

We recently shared information about two separate projects that require some configuration of clinical systems at GP practices. The two separate projects are:

  • GP Connect: Enables 111 to triage and book non-COVID-19 patient appointments at respective GP practices
  • Health Information Exchange: Allows health and care professionals in locations such as the Nightingale Hospital to digitally access records held by other services.

For more information and to download a summary of the projects, please visit the Digital section of the website.

Note: A guide for EMIS practices is also being developed, which will be shared as soon as it’s available.

Reminder: GP update

Please visit our website for the latest on a range of IT updates, including:

  • GPIT laptops
  • Gateway machines
  • WFH IG guidelines
  • Printing at home
  • Recording MS Teams meetings
  • GP Connect/HIE reminder
  • Zoom

For more information on digital and IT support, visit the digital section of the website.

Public facing resources

A number of communications resources, including local videos are available for GP practices to use on their websites/social media accounts to help explain GP practices are ‘open for business’.

A number of inclusive communications resources have also been made available to support information is accessible to all.

Updates from Wider System in Mid and South Essex

Re-starting GP referrals

Following communications recently sent to all practices regarding the re-starting of outpatient referrals operated by Southend, Basildon and Thurrock and Mid Essex Hospitals.

What changes are happening?

The operational guidance sets out the steps the Trust continues to take in respect to the management of outpatient care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These service changes have been reflected across the website.

Neurology advice and guidance

Please note Neurology Advice & Guidance at BTUH, MEHT and SUHFT is only available via eRS.  Therefore, please do not use Pando for this specialty as the app has not been activated by the trusts and requests will be missed.

Current ultrasound service locations

Please click below to download a list of Community Ultrasound service providers current locations. Some of the providers have re-started skeletal services so GPs can start referring to these services.

Community ultrasound locations

For Information

Access to palliative care drugs

There has been an update to the palliative care drug list and the pharmacies that provide these services across mid and south Essex.

The updated lists are available on the Medicines management section of each CCG website.

Reminder: Proactive health checks for people with a learning disability

Practices are encouraged to proactively provide health checks for patients with learning disabilities particularly during this critical time. On average men with learning disabilities die 23 years earlier than men without a learning disability and for women it’s 27 years earlier.

Practices are reminded that the DES has not been suspended and that they should continue to offer this proactive service to their patients.

LGBT rights and COVID-19

The LGBT Foundation is launching the Essential Guide to LGBT Rights and Covid-19. This guide intends to support LGBT people in understanding situations they may face and being able to make informed choices that are right for them during the coronavirus outbreak.

Dr Anna Davey, local GP and Chair of Mid Essex CCG said:

“Particularly at this time, we want to make sure all members of our local LGBT+ community are able to have open and honest conversations with health and care professionals, so people’s individual needs are properly identified and they get the best health support and advice. This is a helpful guide for LGBT people who may have questions about changes during this time, and how and where they can get the support they need if they are worried about something.”

NHS health and wellbeing support for staff

Please visit the Our NHS People website for a number of resources developed to help you manager your own health and wellbeing whilst looking after others.

Health and wellbeing survey

We would like to understand the current wellbeing of the primary care workforce, and invite you to take part in a survey undertaken by the Institute for Employment Studies to support this.

The survey will take no longer that five minutes to complete and will contribute to our ongoing response to support your wellbeing.

Public testing for coronavirus

Testing is now open to any member of the public with COVID-19 symptoms by visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus or calling 119 to book a test. Details of all testing arrangements are available on the website.