Bulletin 20.07.2010
The BMA have now produced a helpful summary of the White Paper available here. You can also view the White Paper in full here.
I am sure you will have picked up the various news stories with regards to the implications of this document. Without a doubt there will be major changes ahead in terms of the way we work but there are also some major opportunities so it is important that practices in Tees embrace the changes. Remaining the same is not an option.
The LMC is currently examining the Paper in detail to gain a greater understanding of how we can progress. We will work closely with practices to support them through the transition period and develop the infrastructure required to succeed. We will also work closely with all PBC Groups in Tees as there is a great deal of experience and expertise from which we can learn and share to help consolidate and coordinate possible commissioning approaches. A coordinated approach across all practices in Tees is going to be key.
The LMC has already begun to work more closely with the Teeswide PCT, but the White Paper has highlighted the need for working together. This approach is going to be crucial as we will need to develop as a team in approaching the challenges to best meet the needs of patients and to maintain high quality health care in Tees. We will keep you updated on developments.
We are keen to hear from all practices of suggestions/comments on how we can progress in Tees and also from any practices who would be interested in working with the LMC and PCT in exploring ideas. Please register your interest or forward suggestions/comments to Janice at the LMC. We have also directly contacted the PBC Groups to ensure they are an integral part of the joint working. Please do not hesitate to contact Janice if you would like to discuss any of the above further.
The White paper mentions a number of consultations due to take place. The first of these is now open: Transparency in outcomes – a framework for the NHS consultation is now available for access and input here. The consultation closes 22 October – ensure you have your say.
SCR – position on Tees, FP69s and GPC stance
We wish to clarify our position on the SCR. The LMC is aware that the GPC considered the recently published evaluation report of the Summary Care Record (SCR) by UCL and passed the resolutions shown below. The GPC and LMC both believe that it is for individual practices to decide whether they wish to proceed with uploads to the SCR.
In making their decision practices will need to be satisfied that:
- they are content that their patients have been adequately informed
- that they believe that they have received adequate training for uploads
- that they believe that their data is fit for sharing.
We hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions please contact the LMC office on 01642 737 744 or email Janice at the LMC office.
Where practices participating in SCR uploads have received FP69s from their PCT due to undelivered PIP (Public Information Programme) letters, they should also have been advised to flag the records affected as “not for upload” until processing has been satisfactorily completed.
The GPC resolutions are:
That GPC believes that, after consideration of the UCL Report in respect of the Summary Care Record (SCR) in England:
- the clinical benefits are insufficient to justify continuation at present, particularly at a time when patients are being denied proven clinical services on the grounds of expense;
- the clinical benefits are insufficient to justify the creation without fully informed explicit consent;
- the clinical benefits are insufficient to justify GPs consenting to the upload of data on behalf of patients who have not expressed consent;
- the creation of SCRs in England should be halted until the full review of the model, and other models, has taken place to address cost-effectiveness and the need for informed and explicit consent of patients.
The GPC believes that in view of the risks to patient safety caused by the failures of SCRs to be reliably and consistently updated, access to existing SCRs should be immediately suspended by the government until all patient safety issues have been fully investigated and satisfactorily resolved.
We have heard of another scam that is currently operating. Practices have been contacted by a company called City Map Town Map who advised them that their ‘free’ online advertising trial period was due to end and that they needed to sign a disclaimer to be ‘released’ from the ‘contract’ the practice had agreed last year. In actual fact it appears practices may be signing up to £1697 of ‘advertising’. The company is also following this up by telephone, firm in wanting their ‘disclaimer’ (which is actually an order form) signed and faxed back. This scam is currently operating in Scotland but the company is based in Europe and it is only a matter of time before it spreads wider. Do not sign anything or part with any money.