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COVID-19 NEWS and UPDATES
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LETTER TO THE HEALTH SECRETARY from MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE DENTISTRY
Re. Vote of No Confidence in the Office of the Chief Dental Officer (England) 4 pages |
DENTAL CARE - HOUSE OF LORDS
20 May 2020 ... 5 pages
20 May 2020 ... 5 pages
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COVID-19 INSIGHT - CQC Update No. 1
Presentation ... 19 slides/pages Focus on Adult Social Care . Outbreak Data . The Impact on Care Providers and Staff . Deaths from Covid-19 . The Impact on Non-Covid Care . Areas of Focus for the CQC |
MORE ON DENTISTRY
05 May 2020 - Volume 675 Hansard ... 1 pages
05 May 2020 - Volume 675 Hansard ... 1 pages
SARA HURLEY, CHIEF DENTAL OFFICER, NHSE, SPEAKS TO DENTISTRY.CO.UK
20 April 2020 ... 5 pages
20 April 2020 ... 5 pages
MORE ON DENTISTRY ...
2 pages
We are all aware that there is a shortage of PPE. There is increasing evidence that supply is not keeping up with demand. Promises from Government are starting to ring hollow with reports that our level 3 PPE, which has only just been provided, are being taken back from UDCs and redistributed within the NHS.
I know we are down the pecking order when it comes to urgency and level of need, and I accept that. However, I cannot help being deeply concerned for the safety of our teams and of our patients.
Charlotte Waite, Chair
England Community Dental Services Committee
2 pages
We are all aware that there is a shortage of PPE. There is increasing evidence that supply is not keeping up with demand. Promises from Government are starting to ring hollow with reports that our level 3 PPE, which has only just been provided, are being taken back from UDCs and redistributed within the NHS.
I know we are down the pecking order when it comes to urgency and level of need, and I accept that. However, I cannot help being deeply concerned for the safety of our teams and of our patients.
Charlotte Waite, Chair
England Community Dental Services Committee
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DRUG TRIAL - OVER 50s
PARTICIPATING GP PRACTICES - EVALUATING POTENTIAL TREATMENTS FOR COVID-19 IN OLDER PEOPLE GP Practices currently registered to participate in the PRINCIPLE trial are found on the website below; more will be added as they sign-up. https://www.phctrials.ox.ac.uk/principle-trial/practices-participating-in-the-principle-trial
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URGENT DENTAL CARE VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pLA_Afef7A&feature=youtu.be
Health Education England, Yorkshire and Humber have created an informative and practical video which describes the patient care pathway and practice setup for Urgent Dental Care in Yorkshire and Humber during COVID 19.
It shares examples of good practice following current guidance and may be of use for those in UDCs elsewhere in England.
--- much about how to do it but not about where to get it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pLA_Afef7A&feature=youtu.be
Health Education England, Yorkshire and Humber have created an informative and practical video which describes the patient care pathway and practice setup for Urgent Dental Care in Yorkshire and Humber during COVID 19.
It shares examples of good practice following current guidance and may be of use for those in UDCs elsewhere in England.
--- much about how to do it but not about where to get it.
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY GROUP FOR EMERGENCIES - SAGE
A Partial List ... 2 pages
A Partial List ... 2 pages
COVID PRESCRIBING ANTIBIOTICS IN URGENT DENTAL CARE
3 pages
1 What is an Aerosol Generating Procedure (AGP)?
Many dental professionals are seeking clarification on aerosol generating procedures.
3 pages
1 What is an Aerosol Generating Procedure (AGP)?
Many dental professionals are seeking clarification on aerosol generating procedures.
The Standard Operating Procedure for Urgent Dental Care Systems published on the 15 of April 2020 sets out in appendix 3, guidance for infection prevention and control in the urgent dental care settings. Included in this is a section prepared by Public Health England in consultation with the Faculty of Dental Surgery RCS England, the Faculty of General Dental Practice UK and Specialist Societies is a description of what are considered to be AGP and non-AGP dental procedures. Further information can be found in the glossary of terms, and the guidance on infection and prevention control.
2. Antibiotic Prescribing for urgent dental care
A guidance note [attached] has been published for oral health professionals seeking guidance on the prescription of antibiotics for urgent dental care during sustained transmission of COVID-19.
2. Antibiotic Prescribing for urgent dental care
A guidance note [attached] has been published for oral health professionals seeking guidance on the prescription of antibiotics for urgent dental care during sustained transmission of COVID-19.
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LETTER TO GP PRACTICES AND PRIMARY CARE NETWORKS, CEOs OF COMMUNITY HEALTH PROVIDES, REGIONAL DIRECTORS OF PRIMARY CARE AND CCG ACCOUNTABLE OFFICERS
From: NHS England and NHS Improvement - 01 May 2020 ... 6 pages |
NHS England and NHS Improvement have published a letter asking primary care and community health services to help provide the best possible care for care home residents.
The letter [attached] requires CCGs, working with primary care and community providers to ensure:
The letter [attached] requires CCGs, working with primary care and community providers to ensure:
- Timely access to clinical advice for care home staff and residents;
- Proactive support for people living in care homes; and
- Care home residents with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are supported through remote monitoring – and face to face assessment where clinically appropriate – by a multidisciplinary team.
LOCAL PROCUREMENT OF PPE STOP
1 page
Trusts have been told to stop procuring their own personal protective equipment, ventilators, and a range of other products in high demand due to Covid-19. Procurement Directors were told on Friday these goods would be procured on a national level to reduce competition for supplies.
1 page
Trusts have been told to stop procuring their own personal protective equipment, ventilators, and a range of other products in high demand due to Covid-19. Procurement Directors were told on Friday these goods would be procured on a national level to reduce competition for supplies.
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MORE ABOUT DENTISTRY ...
From: National Lead for Dental Public Health; Dean-Faculty of Dental Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons of England; Dean-Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) and Chair, British Dental Association |
8 May Bank Holiday Opening
· Urgent dental care Bank Holiday cover to proceed unless otherwise agreed with NHSEI regional team.
· All opening arrangements and any exceptions to be settled on by Thursday 7 May and the NHS Directory of Services updated accordingly.
Antibiotic Prescribing
For oral health professionals seeking guidance on the prescription of antibiotics for urgent dental care during sustained transmission of COVID-19, a note has been published [attached] by Public Health England, Royal College of Surgeons FDS, Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) and the British Dental Association which seeks to clarify the appropriate approach to this.
· Urgent dental care Bank Holiday cover to proceed unless otherwise agreed with NHSEI regional team.
· All opening arrangements and any exceptions to be settled on by Thursday 7 May and the NHS Directory of Services updated accordingly.
Antibiotic Prescribing
For oral health professionals seeking guidance on the prescription of antibiotics for urgent dental care during sustained transmission of COVID-19, a note has been published [attached] by Public Health England, Royal College of Surgeons FDS, Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) and the British Dental Association which seeks to clarify the appropriate approach to this.
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COVID-19 - NOW THE 'SECOND PHASE' OF ACTIONS
29 April 2020 ... 9 pages 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. |
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LETTER TO TONY CHAMBERS, Interim Chief Executive,
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust From: Malcolm Alexander, Chair, HAPIA 28 April 2020 ... 5 pages |
HELP FOR THE DEAF
On demand, remote BSL Interpreting Service launches for UK’s deaf community.
The Deaf Health Charity, SignHealth and online interpreting company InterpreterNow, have launched ‘BSLHealthAccess’ which enables the provision of immediate, on demand access to British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters for communication with deaf people in health settings, free of charge during the current coronavirus situation.
On demand, remote BSL Interpreting Service launches for UK’s deaf community.
The Deaf Health Charity, SignHealth and online interpreting company InterpreterNow, have launched ‘BSLHealthAccess’ which enables the provision of immediate, on demand access to British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters for communication with deaf people in health settings, free of charge during the current coronavirus situation.
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URGENT DENTAL CARE - Two communications received from CDO England
1. Urgent Dental Care (UDC) systems are currently being commissioned by dental leads across the NHS Regions in England.
Patients are directed to the NHS.uk website in order to access emergency dental services:
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/dentists/how-to-find-an-nhs-dentist/
UDC’s will not operate a walk in facility at these sites, patients will be referred and triaged by a local dentist.
Sent on behalf of CDO England - England.CDOExecutive@nhs.net
2. From COVID-19: Primary Care Bulletin - 17 April 2020
Health Minister, Jo Churchill, has written to all MPs outlining arrangements to ensure access to urgent dental care is maintained during the pandemic period.
1. Urgent Dental Care (UDC) systems are currently being commissioned by dental leads across the NHS Regions in England.
Patients are directed to the NHS.uk website in order to access emergency dental services:
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/dentists/how-to-find-an-nhs-dentist/
UDC’s will not operate a walk in facility at these sites, patients will be referred and triaged by a local dentist.
Sent on behalf of CDO England - England.CDOExecutive@nhs.net
2. From COVID-19: Primary Care Bulletin - 17 April 2020
Health Minister, Jo Churchill, has written to all MPs outlining arrangements to ensure access to urgent dental care is maintained during the pandemic period.
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People in pain have nowhere to go as NHSE 'drags its heels' on urgent care system.
The British Dental Association has criticised NHS England for “dragging its feet” in setting up an urgent care system for dental patients, putting further strain on already overstretched GPs. |
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LETTER FROM THE BRITISH DENTAL ASSOCIATION
From: The Chair, Principal Executive Committee The Chair, English Community Dental Services Committee The Chair, General Dental Practice Committee |
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LETTER TO THE CHIEF DENTAL OFFICER FOR ENGLAND, Ms Sarah Hurley
From: Ruth Marsden, Vice Chair, HAPIA |
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SELF ISOLATING PATIENTS - HM Government
4 pages On 21 March the Chief Medical Officer wrote to all GPs about the Government’s plan to support patients at the highest risk from the virus. NHS Digital compiled a central list using hospital episode statistics, which identified around 1.3 million patients, but the CMO’s letter [attached] also asked local Doctors to help by identifying and writing to additional patients who met the criteria, but were not picked up in the national data. |
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FURTHER CONCERNS REGARDING C-19 AT BHR NHS TRUST
Letter to David Amos, Interim Director of People and Organisational Development Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust 08 April 2020 ... 3 pages |
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HAPIA LETTER RE. CONCERNS Letter to Tony Chambers, Interim Chief Executive, Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust. 03 April 2020 ... 2 pages |
GP-PATIENT BEHAVIOUR
As a medium of contact, the Primary Care Sector has witnessed some major changes in both patient and GP behaviour.
At askmyGAs this Pandemic necessitates the use of digital technology aP, we have been promoting a total triage approach to GP appointments for several years and monitoring how that works in real time. This has given us a detailed insight into how behaviour has changed as concern about the virus has spread and as NHSE advice has been implemented.
The askmyGP process has always been based on the idea that all incoming requests should be triaged before the practice decides how to respond. Those requests can arrive online (where the patient answers simple questions about their problem and how they want the GP to respond on a secure web page or phone app) or by telephone (where the receptionist records the same information into the practice workflow). Our practices usually handle all incoming requests using askmyGP.
One of the first changes we noticed was in how patients choose to contact their practice. In January 2020 about 32 to 35 per cent of all incoming requests arrived by telephone. This proportion started to drop early in March and is now around 23 per cent with the slack taken up online.
We noticed an even bigger change in how patients wanted their practice to respond and in how GPs were choosing to respond to requests. In January around 31 per cent of patients requested a face to face appointment and roughly the same number got one.
But that preference started drop
ping mid-March, and in the week starting 23 March it had fallen to only around 4 per cent. The number requesting a response by telephone increased and the number requesting an online message grew substantially. There were similar changes in how GPs chose to resolve the requests.
This is a huge and unprecedented change in behaviour in a short time. It has helped GPs to offer an even faster service, median completion times speeding up over 40 per cent to 97 minutes, with an increase in patient satisfaction. We suggest it demonstrates the value of a total triage approach to handling patient requests in primary care, as now advocated by NHSE for all practices.
We have decided to make the dataset available to the public to track how these patterns are changing over time.
As a medium of contact, the Primary Care Sector has witnessed some major changes in both patient and GP behaviour.
At askmyGAs this Pandemic necessitates the use of digital technology aP, we have been promoting a total triage approach to GP appointments for several years and monitoring how that works in real time. This has given us a detailed insight into how behaviour has changed as concern about the virus has spread and as NHSE advice has been implemented.
The askmyGP process has always been based on the idea that all incoming requests should be triaged before the practice decides how to respond. Those requests can arrive online (where the patient answers simple questions about their problem and how they want the GP to respond on a secure web page or phone app) or by telephone (where the receptionist records the same information into the practice workflow). Our practices usually handle all incoming requests using askmyGP.
One of the first changes we noticed was in how patients choose to contact their practice. In January 2020 about 32 to 35 per cent of all incoming requests arrived by telephone. This proportion started to drop early in March and is now around 23 per cent with the slack taken up online.
We noticed an even bigger change in how patients wanted their practice to respond and in how GPs were choosing to respond to requests. In January around 31 per cent of patients requested a face to face appointment and roughly the same number got one.
But that preference started drop
ping mid-March, and in the week starting 23 March it had fallen to only around 4 per cent. The number requesting a response by telephone increased and the number requesting an online message grew substantially. There were similar changes in how GPs chose to resolve the requests.
This is a huge and unprecedented change in behaviour in a short time. It has helped GPs to offer an even faster service, median completion times speeding up over 40 per cent to 97 minutes, with an increase in patient satisfaction. We suggest it demonstrates the value of a total triage approach to handling patient requests in primary care, as now advocated by NHSE for all practices.
We have decided to make the dataset available to the public to track how these patterns are changing over time.
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CORONAVIRUS (COVID-10) - SCALING UP OUR TESTING PROGRAMMES
Department of Health and Social Care 04 April 2020 - 15 pages |
UPDATE ON MANAGEMENT OF HIGH RISK, SHIELDED PATIENTS
The attached letter provides an update from Dr Nikki Kanani, and Dr Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England following the letter issued via CAS and published on 21 March to GP Practices regarding the management and shielding of patients who are at the highest risk of severe morbidity and mortality from COVID-19.
The attached letter provides an update from Dr Nikki Kanani, and Dr Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England following the letter issued via CAS and published on 21 March to GP Practices regarding the management and shielding of patients who are at the highest risk of severe morbidity and mortality from COVID-19.
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News
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News
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Education
Practice
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Education
Practice
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Education
Practice
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Elizabeth
Practice
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NHS
24 PAGES This letter is one of a series of regular updates to General Practice regarding the emerging COVID-10 situation. An electronic copy of this letter,and all other relevant guidance from NHS England and NHS Improvement, can be found here. |
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NHS VOLUNTEER RESPONDERS INFORMATION FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS 31 March 2020, Version 1 ... 5 pages |
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TESTING STAFF
29 March 2020 ... 2 pages Acute Trusts have been told to set aside 15 per cent of their daily Coronavirus tests for NHS key workers who are quarantining at home with others. New guidance for NHS Trust Chief Executives on Covid-19 testing has just been published |
HELP FROM THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR - NEW WEBSITE
Humanity First UK launches its National Coronavirus Support Line
In response to the United Kingdom Government calling out to the charity and voluntary sector, Humanity First (UK) has announced the launch of a national support line to help and signpost people to services relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further information can be found on the Humanity First UK website
Humanity First UK launches its National Coronavirus Support Line
In response to the United Kingdom Government calling out to the charity and voluntary sector, Humanity First (UK) has announced the launch of a national support line to help and signpost people to services relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further information can be found on the Humanity First UK website
The NHS is set to roll out a temporary digital staff “passport” to enable staff to move around and between organisations more easily during the Coronavirus pandemic.
New Covid-19 guidance for workforce leaders has revealed NHS England and NHS Improvement are working together with NHSX to trial the passport “in the coming weeks”.
The passport could be stored on an individual’s smartphone. It would contain an embedded ‘licence to attend’ agreement, which can be used to grant access to clinical areas for specific purposes, and some verified credentials.
According to the guidance: “There will be no requirement for you [the NHS employer] to create a separate workforce sharing agreement if you don’t yet have one, and the digital passport with an embedded licence to attend will be available to participating employers nationally.”
The passport was originally announced by NHSE last September following several successful pilot projects. With the Coronavirus outbreak putting a severe strain on the health service, it appears NHSE/I has chosen to implement it sooner rather than later to help make sure staff movement is as seamless as possible.
New Covid-19 guidance for workforce leaders has revealed NHS England and NHS Improvement are working together with NHSX to trial the passport “in the coming weeks”.
The passport could be stored on an individual’s smartphone. It would contain an embedded ‘licence to attend’ agreement, which can be used to grant access to clinical areas for specific purposes, and some verified credentials.
According to the guidance: “There will be no requirement for you [the NHS employer] to create a separate workforce sharing agreement if you don’t yet have one, and the digital passport with an embedded licence to attend will be available to participating employers nationally.”
The passport was originally announced by NHSE last September following several successful pilot projects. With the Coronavirus outbreak putting a severe strain on the health service, it appears NHSE/I has chosen to implement it sooner rather than later to help make sure staff movement is as seamless as possible.
1. Around 3,800 GPs have rejoined the medical register barely a week after the Government activated emergency powers to ease growing workforce concerns, the GMC has revealed.
2. Many recently retired police are itching to come back - especially in London
3. Fire fighters/firemen gearing up to drive ambulances as sickness amongst ambulance staff rises.
4. NHS and Army’s project to convert London’s ExCel into a 4,000-bed field hospital gathers pace. One London
clinician with experience of working alongside the military said: “I would rather that the military run this. There
are a number of well seasoned military doctors working in the NHS, all with experience of working for long
periods in resource-limited environments, some of whom are high-regarded intensivists.
2. Many recently retired police are itching to come back - especially in London
3. Fire fighters/firemen gearing up to drive ambulances as sickness amongst ambulance staff rises.
4. NHS and Army’s project to convert London’s ExCel into a 4,000-bed field hospital gathers pace. One London
clinician with experience of working alongside the military said: “I would rather that the military run this. There
are a number of well seasoned military doctors working in the NHS, all with experience of working for long
periods in resource-limited environments, some of whom are high-regarded intensivists.
EMERGENCY MEASURES: CORONAVIRUS BILL: HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE MEASURES
20 March 2020 - 2 pages
This Commons Library briefing paper provides information on the key health and social care measures in the Coronavirus Bill, which was introduced in the House of Commons on 19 March 2020 (Bill 122).
PLEA FOR RECALL OF RETIRED SOCIAL CARE STAFF
The Local Government Association issued a plea to ask the Government to introduce the same measures to get retired social care workers back into the work place as it has already for retired medics.
The Local Government Association issued a plea to ask the Government to introduce the same measures to get retired social care workers back into the work place as it has already for retired medics.
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NEW DENTISTRY ARRANGEMENTS
25 March 2020 - 5 pages Dental Practices have been told to suspend all routine treatment in a bid to reduce the spread of covid-19. |
In a letter sent to Practices today [letter attached], NHS England and Improvement said: “All routine, non-urgent dental care including orthodontics should be stopped and deferred until advised otherwise.”
UNABLE TO WORK - COVID-19
To reduce the burden on GP Practices a new online system, created by the NHS and the Department for Work and Pensions, is now live for patients to be emailed a digital Isolation Note.
Isolation Notes provide patients with evidence for their employers that they have been advised to self-isolate due to Coronavirus, either because they have symptoms or they live with someone who has symptoms, and so cannot work.
As Isolation Notes can be obtained without contacting a doctor, this will reduce the pressure on GP surgeries and prevent people needing to leave their homes. The notes can be accessed through the NHS website and NHS 111 online. After answering a few questions, an Isolation Note will be emailed to the user. If they don’t have an email address, they can have the note sent to a trusted family member or friend, or directly to their employer.
The service can also be used to generate an Isolation Note on behalf of someone else.
To reduce the burden on GP Practices a new online system, created by the NHS and the Department for Work and Pensions, is now live for patients to be emailed a digital Isolation Note.
Isolation Notes provide patients with evidence for their employers that they have been advised to self-isolate due to Coronavirus, either because they have symptoms or they live with someone who has symptoms, and so cannot work.
As Isolation Notes can be obtained without contacting a doctor, this will reduce the pressure on GP surgeries and prevent people needing to leave their homes. The notes can be accessed through the NHS website and NHS 111 online. After answering a few questions, an Isolation Note will be emailed to the user. If they don’t have an email address, they can have the note sent to a trusted family member or friend, or directly to their employer.
The service can also be used to generate an Isolation Note on behalf of someone else.
TOP TEN TIPS FOR COVID-19 TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS
Tips from the Royal College of GPs - written by Dr. Simon Stockley and Dr. Roger Neighbour
4 pages
Tips from the Royal College of GPs - written by Dr. Simon Stockley and Dr. Roger Neighbour
4 pages
- Pre-Planning
- Beginning the Conversation
- Information Needed
- Decide if Telephone Management is Appropriate
- Safety Netting
- Face-to-Face Consultations
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INSTRUCTIONS TO PRIMARY CARE
17 pages This is useful to understand what is expected. See Item 15 in the Table at the end, for information about PPGs. |
RULES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF HOSPITAL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, IN ORDER TO FREE UP SPACE FOR CARE NEEDS TO COME
On discharging from ward to community.
“Based on [the new] criteria, acute and community hospitals must discharge all patients as soon as they are
clinically safe to do so. Transfer from the ward should happen within one hour of that decision being made to a designated discharge area. Discharge from hospital should happen as soon after that as possible, normally within two hours.”
Continuing health care assessments ‘not required’.
“The current legislation does not describe a specific timeframe for carrying out NHS CHC assessments of eligibility, or for individual requests for a review of an eligibility decision (ie. Local Resolution and Independent Review). Therefore, NHS CHC assessments for individuals on the acute hospital discharge pathway and in community settings will not be required until the end of the Covid-19 emergency period. Planned legislative change, as part of the Covid-19 Bill, will further support the NHS in relation to this.”
NHS to fund care packages
“The Government has agreed the NHS will fully fund the cost of new or extended out of-hospital health and social care support packages, referred to in this Guidance. This applies for people being discharged from hospital or [who] would otherwise be admitted into it, for a limited time, to enable quick and safe discharge and more generally reduce pressure on acute services.”
On discharging from ward to community.
“Based on [the new] criteria, acute and community hospitals must discharge all patients as soon as they are
clinically safe to do so. Transfer from the ward should happen within one hour of that decision being made to a designated discharge area. Discharge from hospital should happen as soon after that as possible, normally within two hours.”
Continuing health care assessments ‘not required’.
“The current legislation does not describe a specific timeframe for carrying out NHS CHC assessments of eligibility, or for individual requests for a review of an eligibility decision (ie. Local Resolution and Independent Review). Therefore, NHS CHC assessments for individuals on the acute hospital discharge pathway and in community settings will not be required until the end of the Covid-19 emergency period. Planned legislative change, as part of the Covid-19 Bill, will further support the NHS in relation to this.”
NHS to fund care packages
“The Government has agreed the NHS will fully fund the cost of new or extended out of-hospital health and social care support packages, referred to in this Guidance. This applies for people being discharged from hospital or [who] would otherwise be admitted into it, for a limited time, to enable quick and safe discharge and more generally reduce pressure on acute services.”
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INSTRUCTIONS TO PHARMACIES - COVID19
17 pages These standard instructions just issued to Pharmacies include mention of home deliveries to the increasing numbers of people who will be staying indoors. |
DOCTORS TRANSFER
Mental Health Trusts across England are transferring foundation year one doctors to acute trusts to help tackle the covid-19 crisis
Mental Health Trusts across England are transferring foundation year one doctors to acute trusts to help tackle the covid-19 crisis
REMOTE WORKING APP FREE TO NHS STAFF
A Messaging and Conferencing App will be available for free, for a limited period across the NHS, to counter the increased risks from face-to-face meetings associated with Covid-19.
Microsoft Teams provides secure instant messaging, direct audio and video calls between NHS colleagues and has virtual meeting capabilities. It can support remote and mobile working between NHS colleagues, helping staff to work and deliver advice during the Coronavirus outbreak.
NHS Digital is making the service available to all NHSmail users.
A Messaging and Conferencing App will be available for free, for a limited period across the NHS, to counter the increased risks from face-to-face meetings associated with Covid-19.
Microsoft Teams provides secure instant messaging, direct audio and video calls between NHS colleagues and has virtual meeting capabilities. It can support remote and mobile working between NHS colleagues, helping staff to work and deliver advice during the Coronavirus outbreak.
NHS Digital is making the service available to all NHSmail users.
NHS ENGLAND - GUIDANCE FOR GENERAL PRACTICE
Right now, all Practices and their Commissioners are asked to focus on six urgent priorities:
1. Move to a total triage system (whether by phone or online). This does not mean not advising/treating
patients for other health issues, where there is clinical need, or unilateral closing of Practices doors,
rather ensuring that patients are appropriately triaged to the right health professional setting. The
upsurge in telephone calls to general practice means that providing a reliable and timely response for
patients has already become a vital operational priority.
2. Agree locally with your CCG which Practice premises and teams should be used to manage essential
face-to-face services.
3. Undertake all care that can be done remotely via appropriate channels, guided by your clinical
judgement.
4. Prepare for the significant increase in home visiting as a result of social distancing, home isolation and
the need to discharge all patients who do not need to be in Hospital.
5. Prioritise support for particular groups of patients at high risk. Next week the NHS will be writing directly
to all patients in this category, and you will receive further advice shortly.
6. Help staff to stay safe and at work, building cross-practice resilience across primary care networks, and
confirming business continuity plans.
Right now, all Practices and their Commissioners are asked to focus on six urgent priorities:
1. Move to a total triage system (whether by phone or online). This does not mean not advising/treating
patients for other health issues, where there is clinical need, or unilateral closing of Practices doors,
rather ensuring that patients are appropriately triaged to the right health professional setting. The
upsurge in telephone calls to general practice means that providing a reliable and timely response for
patients has already become a vital operational priority.
2. Agree locally with your CCG which Practice premises and teams should be used to manage essential
face-to-face services.
3. Undertake all care that can be done remotely via appropriate channels, guided by your clinical
judgement.
4. Prepare for the significant increase in home visiting as a result of social distancing, home isolation and
the need to discharge all patients who do not need to be in Hospital.
5. Prioritise support for particular groups of patients at high risk. Next week the NHS will be writing directly
to all patients in this category, and you will receive further advice shortly.
6. Help staff to stay safe and at work, building cross-practice resilience across primary care networks, and
confirming business continuity plans.
NEW SERVICES UNDER DISCUSSION
As part of the national response to COVID-19, HM Government is seeking to commission two further services from the community Pharmacy sector:
medicines without a prescription. The service will be switched on locally as needed – this has already
happened in some locations.
As part of the national response to COVID-19, HM Government is seeking to commission two further services from the community Pharmacy sector:
- An NHS Urgent Medicines Supply Service:
medicines without a prescription. The service will be switched on locally as needed – this has already
happened in some locations.
- A Medicines Delivery Service:
GPs RETURNING TO HELP
The Government has laid out plans to make it easier for retired GPs to return to work during the UK COVID-19 outbreak in an emergency Bill.
The document includes measures to relax rules around pensions for returning Doctors - allowing them to return to work 'without any negative repercussion' - and guarantees state-backed indemnity for all healthcare professionals during the Pandemic.
Emergency plans, which allow the GMC to grant retired Doctors temporary registration, also allow returning staff to work more than 16 hours per week - relaxing a current rule that limits weekly hours.
The Government explained that the emergency measures, which will be in place 'for as long as required', have been activated to deal with ‘a significant level of challenge for the NHS’ over the coming months and support staff.
The Government has laid out plans to make it easier for retired GPs to return to work during the UK COVID-19 outbreak in an emergency Bill.
The document includes measures to relax rules around pensions for returning Doctors - allowing them to return to work 'without any negative repercussion' - and guarantees state-backed indemnity for all healthcare professionals during the Pandemic.
Emergency plans, which allow the GMC to grant retired Doctors temporary registration, also allow returning staff to work more than 16 hours per week - relaxing a current rule that limits weekly hours.
The Government explained that the emergency measures, which will be in place 'for as long as required', have been activated to deal with ‘a significant level of challenge for the NHS’ over the coming months and support staff.
COVID19
The NHS will contact you from Monday 23 March 2020 if you are at particularly high risk of getting seriously ill with Coronavirus. You'll be given specific advice about what to do. Do not contact your GP or healthcare team at this stage – wait to be contacted.
Who is at risk?
You may be at a particularly high risk of getting seriously ill with Coronavirus if you:
The NHS will contact you from Monday 23 March 2020 if you are at particularly high risk of getting seriously ill with Coronavirus. You'll be given specific advice about what to do. Do not contact your GP or healthcare team at this stage – wait to be contacted.
Who is at risk?
You may be at a particularly high risk of getting seriously ill with Coronavirus if you:
- Have had an organ transplant and are taking immunosuppressant medicine.
- Are having Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy.
- Have blood or bone marrow cancer, such as Leukaemia.
- Have a severe chest condition, such as Cystic Fibrosis or severe Asthma.
- Have another serious health condition.
PCN BRIEFING PAPER FOR VOLUNTARY SECTOR ORGANISATIONS
19 pages
National Voices, the representative body for the charity and voluntary sectors has published a briefing about Primary Care Networks aimed at the sector might supply knowledge, expertise and training to help PCNs develop.
The authors argue that this could be vital in making sure PCNs become more closely engaged with their local communities.
19 pages
National Voices, the representative body for the charity and voluntary sectors has published a briefing about Primary Care Networks aimed at the sector might supply knowledge, expertise and training to help PCNs develop.
The authors argue that this could be vital in making sure PCNs become more closely engaged with their local communities.