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Calculating and checking costs

PCN opt-in/out deadline

With much recent discussion regarding the PCN DES and Enhanced Access, due to begin in October 2022, Londonwide LMCs’ advice to practices in the Capital is to consider carefully the requirements placed on practices and evaluate whether, applying full cost recovery, funding is sufficient to cover the expense of providing the services. Conceived and presented […]

General practice issues in Parliament – April 2022

On 26 April, MPs held a Westminster Hall debate on a potential National Strategy for Self-Care. Leading the debate, Sir George Howarth, Labour MP for Knowsley,  noted ‘the important role self-care can play in reducing the burden on GPs and A&E departments’. Sir George suggested a number of proposals, including a greater role for pharmacists. […]

Physical fit note signature requirement ends

From 6 April GP practices have had the option of producing fit notes which do not require a physical signature. The main changes include: GPs’ names will be automatically captured by their IT systems from their user login. The exact date the system will be updated depends on your system supplier. Until the new template […]

Covid antiviral drugs and social distancing in practices

On 14 April, the UK Health Security Agency updated their infection prevention and control guidance for health and care settings. Social distancing is no longer ‘routinely required’ in GP practices, and practices should assess themselves whether ‘standard infection control precautions’ such as hand hygiene and PPE are needed. This was widely reported as meaning an […]

Goldacre review of patient data use for research

The Goldacre review was set up by the government in February 2021 to look at how to improve safety and security in the use of health data for research and analysis. It is led by Prof Ben Goldacre, a doctor and academic who specialises in the use of data in healthcare. The review recommends the […]

Seqirus influenza vaccines order – update on 2022/23 influenza programme

Following the recent NHS England and NHS Improvement communication, Reimbursable vaccines and eligible cohorts for the 2022/23 NHS Seasonal Influenza (flu) Vaccination Programme , dated 2 March 2022, and the announcement that 50-64 years age cohort will not be included in the 2022/23 NHS Seasonal Influenza (flu) Vaccination Programme. Sequiris advise that practices can amend […]

National Covid Memorial Wall in London

End of Covid Act changes to death registration and certification

The arrangements for death certification and registration introduced by the Coronavirus Act (2020) expire on 24 March 2022. The relevant guidance can be found on the Government website, the key points of which are summarised below. The following provisions continue after 24 March 2022: The period before death within which a doctor completing a Medical Certificate of Cause of […]

Nurse in scrubs making notes in conversation with patient

Registered nursing associate blended learning programme launched

This blended learning programme has been developed by experienced primary care nurses and it is specifically designed for registered nursing associates (RNAs) new to working within the general practice setting. The programme is supported by a competency document which is completed in practice, providing evidence of competence for both employers and RNAs. The 11 modules […]