 Top
Supplementary
lists of non-principals - extension to deadline for applicants
Last month's
GP Bulletin contained advice that with effect from 1st April 2002
all GMS Non-Principals must be on a Supplementary List if they
are to continue to assist GP Principals in the provision of GMS.
Transitional
provisions allowed those who applied to their HA by 28 February
2002 to continue to provide GMS until the 31 May 2002 or until
their application is decided (whichever is the sooner).
However, it
has been decided that to avoid any possible disadvantage to non-principals
who, for whatever reason, have been unable to complete their applications
by the 28th February, to extend this transitional deadline to
31 March 2002.
GP Principals
can help to ensure that their non-principal colleagues are not
disadvantaged by reminding locums and other non-principals of
the need to return supplementary list applications to health authorities
as quickly as possible. Any non-principal who has not had an application
form should contact the local health authority.
GMS non-principals
who have not applied to join the supplementary list by 31 March
2002 will not be able to continue to assist in GMS provision after
1 April until they have applied and been accepted onto the GMS
Supplementary List.
Further details
from Jenny Smith by email at jenny.smith@doh.gsi.gov.uk
or by phone on 0113 254 5828.
Top
Golden
Hello application form - update
The NHS GP
Golden Hello scheme was launched on 2 November 2001. The scheme
gives up to £5,000 to new NHS GPs and those returning to general
practice from the GP Retainer scheme, with an extra payment of
up to £5,000 if they work in an under-doctored area.
The practice/PMS
provider declaration in part four of the golden hello application
form has been amended. The form has been re-issued with supplementary
guidance on the recovery of golden hello payments. The guidance
and the revised form are available at www.doh.gov.uk/pricare/goldenhello.
GPs who have already submitted an application are not
required to reapply.
Any queries
to Katie Cusick on 0113 2545850 or email at katie.cusick@doh.gsi.gov.uk
Top
Teaching
PCTs
Eight teaching
PCTs will be established from April. They are in:
Blackburn and Darwen PCT
Bristol North and Bristol South & West PCT
Haringey PCT
Heart of Birmingham PCT
North Tees PCT
Slough PCT
Luton PCT
Lincolnshire South West PCT
Together
with three teaching PCTs launched as test sites last year in Sunderland
West, Salford and Bradford City, these bring the current total
to 11. It is anticipated that around 15 to 20 teaching PCTs be
established by April 2003.
The aim of
establishing teaching PCTs in disadvantaged areas is to attract
extra high-quality staff and overcome the recruitment problems
often faced in these areas.
Teaching PCTs
will be able to create new, attractive posts, offering wider career
development opportunities linked to a part-time clinical role
and part-time teaching/learning role. Through education and research,
teaching PCTs are expected to be able to provide an alternative
portfolio career option for GPs and other health care professionals.
Teaching PCTs
will go beyond traditional teaching activities such as post-graduate
clinical training and continuing professional development - ;
to encompass the ethos of learning, development, research, dissemination
and delivery of good practice. All of these activities will be
undertaken both within their own organisation and with appropriate
partners.
A copy of
the booklet Teaching PCTs can be obtained from:
Department of Health,
PO Box 777,
London SE1 6XH.
Email doh@prologistics.co.uk.
It is also available on the website at: www.doh.gov.uk/pricare
For further
information, please email Helen Hamilton at: helen.hamilton@doh.gsi.gov.uk
Top
MMR
and the target payment scheme
In the wake
of the public debate about MMR vaccine, there have been calls
for a moratorium on the childhood vaccination target payment scheme.
Ministers
and the Chief Medical Officer know that GPs and other professionals
are experiencing a very difficult time in persuading some parents
to accept MMR immunisation. They do not underestimate how hard
many GPs have had to work only to have parents refuse MMR. However,
they consider it would be inappropriate and counter-productive
to change the target payment system at this time.
Since its
introduction, the childhood immunisation GP target payment scheme
has been one of the most effective public health policies and
has resulted in exceptionally high coverage. To help ensure this
continues, the Department of Health is supporting a package of
local programmes to get information to those parents who are still
undecided, to help them in their decision making, and to ensure
that immunisation is readily available for those who have slipped
through the net. Supporting will also be offered to ensure that
local GP and health authority databases are correct and up-to-date.
While it is
not legal for PCTs to suspend the target payment scheme, they
have been advised to consider using the flexibilities offered
by GMS s36 Local Development Schemes. They can also vary PMS contracts
to further incentivise GPs working in areas of low take-up and
where patients would benefit from specially tailored approaches
to immunisation. Useful websites are www.doh.gov.uk/mmr.htm
and the Health Promotion(England) website www.immunisation.org.uk
For further
details, please contact Liz Kidd on 0113 254 5844 or email at
liz.kidd@doh.gsi.gov.uk
Top
Diabetes
National Standards Framework
The Diabetes
National Service Framework: Standards was published last
December. The Diabetes NSF Implementation Group is now developing
the delivery strategy and is seeking views on what the strategy
should contain.
The group
would value feedback on the NSF: Standards and what its
vision of a patient-centred diabetes service should look like
in reality. It would also appreciate views on how we can best
use the opportunities provided by the shifting balance of power
in the NHS to create and use levers for real change.
The Implementation
Group is specifically interested in views on service models, performance
indicators and practice-based registers. Drafts of these were
published with the Diabetes NSF: Standards, together with
a range of supporting information on the Diabetes NSF website
www.doh.gov.uk/nsf/diabetes
An electronic
form for comments is included on the website.
Top
Information
strategy for older people
On 6 March
the Department of Health published an information strategy to
support the Older People's National Service Framework and the
NHS Plan.
Building on
the wider Information for Health and Information for Social Care,
the strategy identifies the information infrastructure, systems
and services required to deliver the Older People programme.
It contains
various initiatives specific to primary care, including:
- the development
of practice-based registers for people at risk of, or who have
had, a stroke;
- the development
of a National Electronic Library for Health Older People 'branch
library', linked to the electronic library for social care;
- PRODIGY,
which provides up-to-date evidence-based recommendations for
the management of a condition, including support for older people.
Each
National Service Framework will be supported by its own information
strategy. A primary care summary will be developed to cover the
general practice issues of all the NSF information strategies.
Further details
of the older people's strategy can be found at www.doh.gov.uk/ipu/strategy/nsf/4.htm
Any queries,
please contact Simon Pearson on 0113 254 6621 or email simon.pearson@doh.gov.uk
Top
Appraisal
for GPs
Annual appraisal
of GPs is being introduced from 1 April 2002. It will become a
contractual requirement for all GP principals and PMS equivalents,
and a mandatory PCT function.
The need for
a comprehensive annual appraisal scheme for GPs was underlined
by the development of clinical governance in the NHS, and the
GMC's proposals for revalidation of doctors. The launch follows
full and detailed consultation with the General Practitioners'
Committee of the BMA.
Appraisal
for GPs is intended to be a professionally led process of constructive
dialogue, in which the doctor being appraised has a formal and
structured opportunity to reflect on his or her work and to consider
how his or her effectiveness might be improved. It should be a
positive process to give GPs feedback on their past performance,
to chart their continuing progress and to identify the developmental
and educational needs of individuals. The primary aim of appraisal
is to help GPs consolidate and improve on good performance, aiming
towards excellence. In doing so, it will identify areas where
further development may be necessary or useful; the purpose is
to improve performance right across the spectrum, from the best
to the worst.
The content
of appraisal will be based on the core headings set out in the
GMC's Good Medical Practice document, together with consideration
of the GP's contribution to meeting local patient needs. The GMC's
core headings are: good clinical care; maintaining good medical
practice; relationships with patients; working with colleagues;
teaching and training; probity and health.
The appraisal
should conclude by setting down, as an action plan, the agreements
that have been reached about what each party is committed to doing.
This should include the essentials of the personal development
plan (PDP). The appraisal should identify the individual needs
that will be addressed through the PDP. The plan will also provide
the basis for assessment of resource needs and clinical governance
issues within a practice.
Details of
the national appraisal framework and standardised documentation
are available at www.doh.gov.uk/gpappraisal
GP appraiser
training
The initial
training for GP appraisers will take the form of a one-day session,
delivered at local centres around the country. The National Clinical
Governance Support Team is writing to PCT nominees with details.
The Department
of Health is funding the educational package, including the venue,
teaching, lunch and refreshments. The primary care organisation
is responsible for travel and subsistence and, where agreed, locum
backfill for the GPs taking part.
For further
information on the training programme, contact Selena Laye at
the NCGST on 0116 295 2026.
GP appraisal
workshops
A national
series of workshops on the appraisal process will be held over
the next few months for GPs, managers and other interested parties.
The Department of Health is working with the NHS Alliance to organise
these. Further details will be included in the next bulletin.
Top
New
arrangements for workforce planning
From 1 April
2002 new arrangements will be in place to oversee the geographical
distribution of GPs in England.
The Medical
Practices Committee will be abolished on 31 March, to be replaced
with a single funding formula covering all NHS spending. The aim
is to improve the equitable distribution of all primary care services.
The MPC's function for declaring GP vacancies acceptable for recruitment
will fall ultimately to Primary Care Trusts.
For further
information please contact Liz Kidd on 0113 254 5844.
Top
Recording
details of carers on electronic patient records
Since October
1999 GP computer systems have been required to include a field
where the details of carers could be entered in patient records.
GPs are prompted to ask for carer details as part of the registration
details of patients.
In order to
comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and meet the fair processing
requirements, permission must be sought from the carer to keep
and use that person's details.
For further
information, please contact Liz Kidd on 0113 254 5844 or Katie
Cusick on 0113 2545850 email at katie.cusick@doh.gsi.gov.uk
Top
Achieving
and Sustaining Improved Access to Primary Care
The Department
of Health, with key stakeholders, has produced an information
document to help PCTs achieve the access targets in the NHS Plan,
increase capacity and extend services in primary care, and develop
demand management in primary and secondary care.
The document
includes essential information for PCTs including:
Definitions
of the Primary care access targets
Information
on the Primary Care Access Fund, including the Access Incentive
Scheme
The
new 90% target milestone which has been set for March 2003
Monitoring
arrangements
How
PCTs can access the National Primary Care Development Team Collaborative
'Achieving
and Sustaining Improved Access to Primary Care is available
on the Department of Health website at: www.doh.gov.uk/pricare
For further
information, please contact Catherine Davies on 0113 254 6602
or by email at catherine.davies@doh.gsi.gov.uk
Top
Out-of-hours
accreditation - update
To ensure
high quality care and access to all patients, the Out-of-Hours
review (www.doh.gov.uk/pdfs/ooh.pdf)
recommended quality standards to be met by all accredited providers
of out-of-hours services. PCTs will be responsible for accreditation.
From 1st October
2002, subject to Parliamentary approval, all out-of-hours service
providers will be required to submit a quarterly report to their
PCT on how they have delivered their service measured against
the benchmark of the quality standards. The review does, however,
recognise that not all these standards can be achieved from day
one, and so full implementation is not planned until 2004.
The Department
of Health is working closely with the GPC and key stakeholders
to develop supporting documentation (Quality Standards, Accreditation
Guide and Reporting Framework), which will be published shortly.
The recent decision to delay regulatory changes until October
2002 will allow for central training and support to be given to
PCTs and providers in preparation for their new roles and responsibilities.
For further
information, please contact Carole Griffiths on 0113 2546334 or
by email at carole.griffiths@doh.gsi.gov.uk
Top
PMS
and Shifting the Balance Power
Many of the
structural changes set out in Shifting the Balance of Power
are about to take effect. These will lead to changes in the handling
of PMS applications.
Each of the
four new Directors of Health and Social Care are currently making
plans for transitional arrangements for handling applications
for wave 4B of PMS. In the meantime, please contact the PMS lead
in your Regional Office to find out what local arrangements are
in place. Details of Regional PMS leads can be found at www.doh.gov.uk/pricare/index.htm
PMS website
and helpline
The National
PMS Development Team has launched a new helpline - 0845 9000008
- for information on all aspects of PMS. All calls and responses
will be recorded and used to influence the direction of future
guidance and training programmes.
The website,
www.doh.gov.uk/pmsdevelopment,
has:
- contact
details for the team and the nationwide network of facilitators
- over 50
commonly-asked questions and answers about PMS
- links to
legislation, press releases, guidance, and more
- a discussion
board which allows users to share views, concerns and questions
about PMS.
Top
Date
for your Diary - 18 April 2002: Improving
Working Lives for Doctors Conference
Queen
Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Westminster 10.00 - 16.00
The high profile
conference is part of a work programme that is focusing on Improving
Lives for Doctors. It will follow up the debate and demonstrate
progress following the Improving Working Lives for Doctors summit
on the 30 January 2002. It will also provide an opportunity to
hear from the new Doctors Forum and hear how the £1 million for
Improving Working Lives for Doctors is being spent.
Delegates
will have the chance to share in open discussion and participate
in workshops. This conference is an opportunity to meet with colleagues,
share good practice and develop new ideas.
The day will
cover the following themes:
- Managing
the changing relationship between doctors and patients
- Planning
a flexible career
- More creative
roles to flexible retirement
- Flexible
working in primary care
- Managing
flexible working for junior doctors
- Changing
roles
- Working
as a healthcare team
- International
recruitment
To
book your place, call the conference hotline on 0208334 4525.
Further information on Improving Working Lives can be found at
www.doh.gov.uk/iwl
Top
Postgraduate
programme in palliative care
Sheffield
Palliative Care Studies Group invites applications for its postgraduate
programme in palliative care (M.Med.Sci.).
This two-year
flexible, part-time course starts in September. The modular programme
is designed for a multi-disciplinary student group.
Further details
on www.sheffield-palliative.org.uk
or from Dr Jane Seymour or Professor David Clark - tel 0114 262
0174, fax 0114 236 2916, email j.e.seymour@sheffield.ac.uk
or d.clark@sheffield.ac.uk
Top
MSc
in Allergy
The School
of Medicine at the University of Southampton is offering a full
MSc course in Allergy, which is suitable for GPs and specialist
nurses. The course consists of six taught modules and a dissertation
module, and can be studied on a part-time basis.
The full MSc
is made up of 180 credits at HE4. The course is run by distance
learning (with the exception of the Research Methods module),
with set teaching days at Southampton General Hospital. Modules
can be taken individually.
Modules offered
include:
- Mechanisms
and Management of Allergic Disease (I)
( 40 credits)
PGEA approval for 44 hours
- Mechanisms
and Management of Allergic Disease (II)
(40 credits)
PGEA approval for 44 hours
- Research
Methods in Health (40 credits)
- Skin Disease
and its Management (20 credits)
- Nasal Disease
and its Management (20 credits)
- Introduction
to Respiratory (20 credits)
- Research
Dissertation (60 credits)
For further
information see www.som.soton.ac.uk/about/courses/allergy
or contact Dr Jill Warner, 02380 796941 (email jaw4@soton.ac.uk)
or Mrs Brenda Colwell, 02380 796379 (email b.colwell@soton.ac.uk).
Top
Essential
safety information
The Medical
Devices Agency helps to protect public health and safeguard the
interests of patients and users by ensuring that medical devices
and equipment meet the appropriate standards of safety, quality
and performance.
One of the
most important tasks is to identify actions to minimise any risks
associated with medical devices and alert users by issuing Safety
Warnings. Health Authorities receive these notices for onward
distribution to you. Those relevant to General Practice are listed
below.
SN2002(01)
Medical Devices - reporting adverse incidents and disseminating
safety warnings.
SN2002(02)
Dry heat (hot air) sterilizers
SN2002(03)
Nebulisation therapy: risk of incorrect connections
SN2002(04)
Zoll M Series Advisory Defibrillator & AED Defibrillator.
If you have
not seen any of these publications please contact your Health
Authority for copies. In the event of difficulty fax MDA on 020
7972 8124.
Top
Bringing
welfare advice into Primary Care settings
Advance notice
of a free conference for all those working to challenge health
inequalities and reduce poverty -
20th May 2002
- 10.30am - 3.30pm - Bradford, West Yorkshire, National Museum
of Photography, Film and Television
Bradford's
Health Plus scheme brings together seven local advice agencies
to provide welfare advice in GP practices - covering benefits,
debt, housing, employment and immigration. The project is funded
by the national Health Action Zone Innovations fund, and run by
Bradford City Primary Care Trust.
Conference
Agenda:
- Why the
scheme has been set up
- How they
got GPs on board
- What service
users get out of it
All delegates
will receive a full information pack/toolkit.
The conference
will be of interest to:
- Those setting
up such a scheme
- Those in
existing schemes, to share good practice
- Those in
other primary care or advice settings
To register
your interest, please contact Nick Hodgkinson, Bradford City PCT,
Joseph Brennan House, Sunbridge Road, Bradford, BD1 2SY, or email:
nhodgkinson@bradford-ha.nhs.uk
or Tel: 01274 424780 or Fax: 01274 424781.
|
