Pandemic Flu Update

There has now been national agreement (England only) regarding flu vouchers versus scripts. It has been agreed that GPs will use flu vouchers for the under 13s and when visiting patients at home and that GPs will use the blank side of computer scrip stationery when in the surgery, with a simple three-letter endorsement ‘AVC’ . Furthermore, GPs will not have to fill in anything on the vouchers apart from using a normal surgery address stamp and date stamp and signing it. A letter has been sent to all PCTs, via the SHA, to confirm this. You can view that letter here. PCTs in Tees will be providing further information about this process to all practices shortly but will currently continue to accept any vouchers issued.

BMJ Best Health have published a ‘Patient Information Leaflet’ on swine flu which can be printed out by practices to give to patients. You can download the document here. Please note that this document is BMJ Group Copyright so should not be amended in any way but may be updated by the BMJ in the future.

DH have recently produced a guidance document for PCTs on planning for and responding to pandemic flu, titled ‘Pandemic Flu: Planning & Responding to Primary Care Capacity Challenge’.This document mentions the payment rate for locums agreed between NHSE and other issues, including accessing retired medical practitioners. You can view the guidance here. It is also available on the DH website by following this link www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics

LMC Guidance – Dealing With Complaints or Investigations

The LMC has produced a ‘guidelines’ letter which hopes to provide support to practices when dealing with complaints or investigations. The LMC has requested the PCTs forward this letter to practices when they contact practices about complaints. You can view the guidelines here.