Guidance for practice managers and PCNs

Please note that guidance is being updated on a regular basis to reflect changes to legislation and guidance. 

Sick pay for staff identified as most as risk 

New regulations have been implemented relating to statutory sick pay entitlement for those who are ‘shielding’ as a result the Coronavirus pandemic. The regulations came in to force from 16 April 2020.

The new rules provide that those who are deemed to be incapable of work by reason of Coronavirus, can also include someone who –

• is defined in public health guidance as extremely vulnerable and at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus because of an underlying health condition; and
• has been advised, by notification sent to, or in respect of, that person in accordance with that guidance, to follow rigorously shielding measures for the period specified in the notification.

The guidance is that issued by Public Health England

The details of the changes can be found at Statutory Sick Pay (General) (Coronavirus Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020

Support for staff who are pregnant

In the UK, significant protections in law for pregnant healthcare workers already exist. These must be followed in relation to COVID-19. NHS employers should do everything possible to maintain the health of their pregnant employees. The central aspect of this protection is based on risk assessment of each individual pregnant worker’s working environment and the role they play.

Updated guidance has been published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

If practices want to discuss specific queries please contact [email protected]

Interim guidance on DBS and other recruitment checks

The CQC has published interim guidance on DBS and other recruitment checks, for providers recruiting staff and volunteers to health and social care services in response to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Covid-19 Primary Care Testing Service

The Covid-19 – Primary Care Testing Service went live on Monday 20^th April 2020. There is a live mailbox that will be utilised as a central portal for queries – [email protected] and the attached flowchart illustrates the process to be followed and there are also some FAQ’s for Practice Mangers

HR Virtual Clinics for Practice Managers

To support practice managers with HR queries during this time we are offering a series of HR Drop in sessions for each CCG area.  The dates and times of these will be communicated directly.

Virtual GPN Drop in sessions

GPN drop in sessions available to all practice nurses working within the Mid & South Essex Health and Care Partnership, this demographic included the following CCGs: 

• Basildon & Brentwood CCG
• Castle Point & Rochford CCG
• Mid Essex CCG
• Thurrock CCG
• Southend CCG

There is no set agenda to the drop in, and to dial in is optional. The purpose of these sessions are to offer a forum to share experiences, receive updates and keep connected during this difficult time. 

NHS staff absence tracker 

NHSEI has launched a new staff absence tracker service, which is a tool for staff and managers to report COVID-19 related absence from work and subsequent return to work. It will provide a source of national and local data on the absence rate in general practice that will allow us to better target support. Staff can register using their NHS email address and if they provide the details of their practice manager, they will be automatically informed of the absence. Although there is no obligation for practices to use this service, this would be a way to demonstrate the pressures on general practice.