Page last updated: 27 November, 2020, 7:36pm
Primary Care E-bulletin (Issue 96) – 20 November
Click here to view a web browser version of this briefing.
In this Issue:
- Extension of the flu vaccination programme to 50 to 64 year olds
- Infection prevention and control guidance
- Update on COVID swab testing in general practice
- Update on Community Phlebotomy Clinic Locations
- Virtual Primary Care Skills Show and Jobs Fair
- Mid and South Essex Training Hub
- HeadsUp – peer support and practical employability advice
- Older LGBT People’s Health Inequalities Roundtable, 4th December 10.30am-1pm
Support with Day to Day Issues
Extension of the flu vaccination programme to 50 to 64 year olds
The Department for Health and Social Care have issued a press release this morning about the extension of the flu vaccination programme to 50 to 64 year olds. This outlines that people aged 50 to 64 will get free flu vaccine from 1 December as part of expanded flu vaccination programme this winter.
Please note: we will provide further clarity on how this will affect current local vaccination as soon as we can.
Infection prevention and control guidance
For the latest prevention advice, please click here, for infection control click here.
This includes the latest information about:
- Social distancing
- Protecting yourself and others around you
- PPE – how to wear and dispose of PPE
- Decontaminating your clinic and what to clean.
Update on COVID swab testing in general practice
Last week, NHS Test and Trace rolled out a new service making COVID polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab testing capability available to all general practices in England on a voluntary, opt in basis.
All practices should have received a Unique Organisation Number (UON) via email that enables them to register to use the service. The email address originates from ‘[email protected]’.
If you have not received it, please first check your emails including spam folders. If are still unable to identify it, please call the 119 helpdesk and they will be able to assist you.
You can find further information here or you can attend one of the webinars.
Update on Community Phlebotomy Clinic Locations
Please note, as from 30th November 2020, Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow will no longer be providing phlebotomy services to out of area patients.
However, there are a number of community phlebotomy clinics which patients can access locally. Please click below to download a list of these locations.
Education and Training
Mid and South Essex Training Hub
For the latest initiatives from the Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership Training Hub, please visit the Training Hub section of our website.
Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor Preparation Events
A free online event to validate and prepare practice nurses for The New Standards Framework published by the Nursing & Midwifery Council 2019. The purpose of the event is to provide a networking and learning opportunity for practice nurses within the Mid & South Essex HCP footprint.
Following the success of the event which took place earlier this year, two further events have been organised:
- Wednesday 25th November – 9am-11am
- Monday 7th December – 3pm-5pm
To reserve your place, email [email protected] specifying your preferred date. You will then receive an MS Teams invite.
These events are hosted by the Mid & South Essex Training Hub, and in joint partnership with Anglia Ruskin University and University of Essex. Representatives from Universities, and Health Education England will be in attendance.
Physician Associate Intern Programme in Primary Care
The Mid and South Essex Training Hub are pleased to announce that Expressions of Interest for Health Education East of England’s Physician Associate Intern Programme in Primary Care are now being invited. The Training Offer for 2020/21 has a proposed start date of mid-January 2021. Full details can be viewed on the Training Hub website.
Practice Managers Association training modules
These courses will be delivered by the Practice Managers Association (PMA), and are due to begin at the end of November or early in December. They are aimed at Practice Managers, Business Managers, Senior Administrators and Clinicians across Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership:
- Telephone triage for frontline and reception staff – 1st December 2020
- Telephone triage for GPs and other clinicians – 1st December 2020
- Staff Employment Issues – 26th November 2020
- Accounting and Finance – 2nd December 2020
Last few spaces are still available.
Fully Funded Training Opportunities
The Mid and South Essex Training Hub have commissioned a series of fully funded training courses, aimed at Nurses, Nursing Associates, Physician Associates and Allied Health Professionals. Forthcoming training includes:
- Two Day Contraception Appreciation Course for Nurses
- Cytology Update
- Contraception Update
- Matters of Heart – The ABC of Cardiovascular Disease.
A full list of courses, plus eligibility and terms & conditions, can be viewed on the Training Hub website. More information is available here.
For Information
HeadsUp – peer support and practical employability advice
HeadsUp offers a free programme of peer support and practical employability advice to people in Essex, Southend and Thurrock who are unemployed and may have experienced feelings of anxiety and depression, stress or maybe a lack of confidence.
The service helps develop key employability skills from basic IT to a brilliant CV or preparing for an interview, with sessions offered one-to-one or in small groups.
People can self-refer, or be referred by another organisation or someone they know. Contact via [email protected] or 01206 489912.
Older LGBT People’s Health Inequalities Roundtable, 4th December 10.30am-1pm
NHS England’s LGBT Health Team is planning a virtual roundtable with the sector to discuss the issues affecting older LGBT people, including the current impacts of COVID-19.
The event will take place over Microsoft Teams on Friday 4th December 10:30 am -1:00 pm (including a short break). If you would be interested in attending please email: [email protected] for dial-in details.