Mword Issue 73 - Dr Michelle Drage's latest update for GPs and practice teams

18 November 2020

Dear Colleague

Another temperature check – just to be sure

The deadline for practices and their respective PCNs to identify designated sites from which to deliver the Covid-19 vaccination programme has been and gone. Whilst we await word from NHSEI on the proposed sites, I’d like to beg a couple more minutes of your time to see how you are doing. As before, it will only take a moment of your precious time. It would be incredibly helpful to get your thoughts before Friday if you can.

Our previous temperature check found that whilst around 45% of practice respondents intend "signing up to the DES, now NHS ES", around the same figure are unsure; and over half want more information and support to help them make a decision.

For what it is worth, my take today is this:

We all desperately want these vaccines to be successful.
The principle of First Do No Harm remains our over-riding duty as doctors.
Sorting the hype from the best available evidence is challenging right now. We cannot allow the hype to influence us in guiding / consenting / vaccinating patients.
Evidence about the efficacy of, and longer term protection provided by, the vaccine is understandably incomplete.
Our "temperature checks" show that while approximately 45% of practice respondents intend "signing up to the DES, now NHS ES", approximately 45% of respondents are unsure, and over half want more information and support to help them make a decision.
With the vaccination programme evolving by the day, and given the challenges of the nature, storage and delivery of these vaccines, it is still far from clear how it will operate in our complex capital city, where all of the usual limitations of space, physical and organisational boundaries will need to be overcome.
December 1st is the date set by Government for the NHS to be ready, but it is increasingly clear it is highly unlikely to be the date on which the vaccine rollout begins.

Meanwhile:

Lots of people are having lots of meetings.
It is important to avoid over-complicating this process with unproductive activity.
GPs and practice teams still have to do the day job.

So, how are you?

Please let us know so we can continue to use this information, combined with feedback via other channels, to understand and raise your concerns at a local and national level. We will continue to push for a practitioner and patient centred approach; not only in the best interests of practice stability mid-pandemic, but recognising that practices’ local knowledge and understanding of vulnerable cohorts is vital in ensuring the vaccine reaches them.

Our Londonwide LMCs Living Guide continues to provide valuable information to help you through the current pandemic. I encourage you to continue to use it. Latest updates include further detail on supporting care homes, with advice on the Covid-19 Vaccination programme due very soon.

As ever I welcome your feedback at mword@lmc.org.uk, and as always, know that my team of experts and leaders here at Londonwide LMCs are by your side.

Keep well. Stay safe.

With best wishes

Dr Michelle Drage MBBS FRCGP
CEO, Londonwide LMCs

Last updated : 26 Nov 2020

Mword Issue 88 - Dr Michelle Drage's latest update for GPs and practice teams (15 Oct 2021)

Mword Issue 87 - Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell’s latest update for GPs and practice teams (01 Oct 2021)

BMA Annual Representative Meeting 2021 summary (22 Sep 2021)

The BMA’s Annual Representative Meeting 2021 was held virtually on 13 and 14 September. Londonwide LMCs proposed a motion to end compensation claimants pursuing professional proceedings against GPs. The motion...

Covid-19 vaccination programme update – September 2021 (22 Sep 2021)

The following documentation relating to the Covid-19 vaccination programme has either been published or updated over the previous month: Enhanced Service Specification: Covid-19 vaccination programme 2020/21, updated 20...

Westminster update – September 2021 (22 Sep 2021)

The last month has seen a number of new announcements affecting general practice and the wider health and care system. Autumn and Winter Plan Last week the Government launched its...

Recognise the emotional challenges of your work: ask for support when you need it (22 Sep 2021)

By Dr Phil Moore, Mental Health Clinical Co-Director for the NHS in London, co-chair of London’s Suicide Prevention Group, and chair of the Mental Health Commissioners Network for NHS Clinical...

New LMC terms (22 Sep 2021)

Over recent and coming weeks our LMCs have had, or are having, their inaugural meetings, following the elections which took place this summer. At these meetings LMC members will select...

Tips of the Month September 2021 (22 Sep 2021)

We provide monthly tips based on common queries which come through to us from London GPs and practice teams. These are shared via social media and collated for this newsletter....

Work with us to counter abuse of practice staff (22 Sep 2021)

We need your help to combat the growing anti-GP sentiment being experienced by GPs and practice staff. As your representative body, we are increasingly worried about the volume of abuse...

Londonwide LMCs' September 2021 Newsletter (22 Sep 2021)

Guidance

We provide expert guidance for practices in our guidance section, as well as an archive of other materials you may find useful.

GP Support

Contact our GP Support team if you need help or advice.

The team provide professional and pastoral support to GPs and practice teams on a broad range of issues.

Login	join now