IMPORTANT, Scam Targeting Patients
We have been made aware of a particularly malicious scam that is targeting patients throughout the country (we have also had local reports). The scam involves sending emails to patients advising them that following recent blood tests the results show they may have cancer. The email mentions NICE and has attachments and links for reports. As you can imagine this is incredibly distressing for patients and, as one colleague has phrased it, an all time low for scammers. It is currently unknown as to how they have accessed email addresses and it could be purely coincidental that some of the patients have recently had blood tests BUT we recommend you alert patients to this. NICE is aware of this issue and have posted a note on their website to advise patients they are investigating this issue and not to open emails. Further updates will be posted on the NICE website and via twitter: @NICEComms.

CQRS, GP Practice Checklist for QOF 13/14 Year End
HSCIC has released an email bulletin providing a step-by-step detailed checklist advising practices what they need to do and when for QOF 2013/14 year-end. We recommend that practices view this checklist on line as updates will be made on a weekly basis. A step by step guide on entering achievement data manually for the 17 indicators and how to declare QOF achievement in CQRS will also be made available here together with a number of FAQs. If you require any more information please contact the HSCIC service desk via email: enquiries@hscic.gov.uk

Alcohol Related Risk Reduction Scheme 2013/14

Practices will need to manually enter data into CQRS for the Alcohol Related Risk Reduction Scheme 2013/14. HSCIC are aware that previous guidance stated that practices would not be required to manually enter data for this Enhanced Service and, to support practices, a guide on how to enter data for the Alcohol Related Risk Reduction Scheme 2013/14 has been made available.

QOF Guidance 14/15
The QOF guidance for 2014-15 has now been published and includes a summary table at the end of the document which highlights all the changes made.

DDRB Report
The DDRB report has now been published and the main GP-related recommendations are:

• For independent contractor GPs, an uplift of 0.28 per cent to be applied to the overall value of GMS contract payments for 2014-15. This is intended to result in an increase of 1 per cent to GP contractor income after allowing for movement in expenses.
• For salaried GPs, the minimum and maximum of the salary range to be increased by 1 per cent for 2014-15. As a result of the DDRB’s recommendation, salaried GPs on the model salaried GP contract should receive an uplift of at least 1% to their salary.
• For the trainers’ grant, an increase of 1 per cent along the same lines as basic pay for other doctors.
• Given ongoing doctors in training contract negotiations, no recommendation on any change to the GP specialty registrar supplement.

MPIG Changes, Ready Reckoner for GMS Practice
One of the most common calls we are currently receiving in eth LMC office is with regard to the MPIG changes and how practices can calculate the impact on their finances. NHS England has produced a ready reckoner for practices to use as a rough guide to estimate how their funding will change in 2014-2015, both as a result of the phasing out of MPIG and the negotiated changes to the GP contract for 2014/15. We strongly recommend that practices also read the GPC guidance. If, as a response to these changes, you have concerns about your practice and your ability to provide services, please contact the LMC office (Janice.foster@tees.nhs.uk).

Reminder, Music Licensing
GPC has been contacted by PPL, which is a music licensing company that works on behalf of performers and record companies (most of them small businesses or sole traders) to license, amongst other activities, the playing in public of recorded music. PPL issues licences to many medical practices and surgeries for the playing of background music within their premises. PPL’s role stems from the legal requirement that the permission of the copyright owner must be obtained before a sound recording can lawfully be played in public, by virtue of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. You may wish to view their website for more information, including an explanation of the difference between PPL and PRS for Music.