Bulletin 27.11.2013

Rotavirus Vaccination Programme
Following the announcement by the Department of Health about the introduction of the Rotavirus vaccination programme from autumn 2013, they have provided this Q&A. The Rotarix® vaccine is for two doses of an oral vaccine to be given to children under 24 weeks, which would fit within the current childhood programme. All infants aged 6 weeks to 3 months at the start of the programme should be offered vaccination and there must be a four week gap between the doses. The vaccine supply will be centrally procured and therefore not liable to PA fees.

CMO Annual Report
The Chief Medical Officer for England, Dame Sally Davies, has published the first volume of her annual report. This volume focuses on epidemiology and public health and contains information that may be useful to CCGs and GP practices. The report notes an increase in liver disease, and also looks at old age surveillance, access to healthcare, heart disease, obesity and cancer. It looks like it will be a mine of information about our populations.

CQC Registration
The CQC has published a report on its pilots of inspection methods for primary medical services providers. It includes recommendations about how the CQC will check that providers meet the essential standards once they are registered. These recommendations include that providers should be given a 48-hour notice period for scheduled inspections and that these inspections should take place every two years.

Patients with Dental Problems
Doctors do not treat dental problems – however, treatment can be given for the pain. Should a patient attend your surgery, apparently unable to find a dentist to treat them, please give them the contact number shown below:
To find the nearest dental practice taking on NHS patients in the Tees area, visit www.tees.nhs.uk or call the dental helpline on 0345 045 0620, or Text: 07700 380000.
If you need a dentist in an emergency, call 0845 603 3131. You will be given the next available emergency appointment at a dentist somewhere in Teesside.
You may wish to use this poster.

Financial Element in Recovery Plans
Given all the changes currently taking place in the NHS we recommend that all practices ensure that a financial element is built into their disaster recover plans – considering financial contingency plans and/or surplus finances in the event on any payment delays as the PCT switch to the new world of the NHS.

Updated Clinical Waste Letters
Please observe these updated letters for GMS/PMS practice in non-Trust owned properties whose waste is collected by SRCL.

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