Bulletin 21.06.2016
Measures to Control Workload/GPC Quality Hub
As part of the GPC’s workforce engagement work, this “Quality first” resource is a single portal for the range of practical ways in which general practice can manage workload to deliver safe care, with “how to”, and with real case examples of positive change. Areas covered includes:
- Managing inappropriate workload
- Guidance on establishing or joining a GP network or federation
- Collaboration and working at scale
- Technology – new ways of working
- Patient empowerment
- Assessing and negotiating workload
This is by no means a final product, and GPC hope to keep adding on and evolving the portal as feedback and new examples are received from around the country. The original template pack (included in the workload document) has been updated and also converted to Word documents for easier editing. SystmOne, EMIS and Vision web templates have also been sourced ready to be exported into practice systems with ease. This should enable automated letters to push back on inappropriate workload. In time GPC hope that this can also become a dynamic noticeboard of LMC and practice views and ideas – it would be part of creating a sense of empowerment and resilience for GPs and practices at a local and national level. GPC would, therefore, appreciate any examples of effective workload management you can share by emailing GPworkload@bma.org.uk, so that they can add to the resources available. Please also copy janice.foster@nhs.net into this email so we can also build a local resource. Some of these initiatives can link into the General Practice Forward View’s “releasing time for patients” programme, which looks at ideas, support and funding to release time for care and to lessen workload. GPC are also inviting members to share their experience via Connecting Doctors (formerly ‘BMA Communities’) and you can join the conversation on twitter via #GPworkload which is the hashtag GPC will be using to promote this work and engage GPs around the country.
FP10s
This note seeks to clarify the position about the use of private prescriptions alongside FP10s following legal advice. The question raised relates specifically to whether GPs can issue private prescription forms at the same time as FP10s, in circumstances where this is a cheaper option for the patient than paying the NHS prescription charge. GPC was asked to consider whether this could be either a breach of the Regulations or collusion to defraud the NHS, who would otherwise recoup the prescription charge. The legal advice received is clear that in cases of treatment under the primary care contract, GPs may not issue private prescriptions alongside and as an alternative to FP10s. In any case where a GP is obliged to issue an FP10, the concurrent issue of a private prescription will be a breach of obligation. In any case where a GP is obliged or entitled to issue an FP10 the concurrent issue of a private prescription will be conduct calculated to deprive the NHS of a small amount of money and will on that account also be wrongful. The advice is therefore that GPs do not issue private prescriptions under these circumstances.
Understanding Changes to Your Practice Funding
The 2016/17 general medical services contract agreement saw significant investment in general practice. Taken together with the ongoing recycling of seniority and correction factor payments, as well as recent funding commitments and developments, there are significant changes, now and in the near future, to how general practice is funded. GPC have published a ‘focus on practice funding’ guide, which provides a summary of the funding changes and highlights some further developments that will impact on general practice funding.
Responding to LMC Conference Resolutions
There were a couple of resolutions passed at both the Special LMC and Annual LMC conferences in relation to calling for action from the government in negotiating a rescue package for general practice and taking further the General Practice Forward View as it does not go far enough in responding to the GPC Urgent Prescription for General Practice document. Both resolutions gave timescales for action (6 and 3 months respectively) and the Annual LMC Conference (resolution S20) called for the GPC to ask the BMA to ballot the profession on its willingness to sign undated resignations and take industrial action (IA) if the deadline put to the government of 20 August 2016 was not met. GPC has formally written to NHS England, pressing for their acceptance of the Urgent Prescription. GPC has also commenced dialogue with NHS England regarding identifying those proposals in the Urgent Prescription ‘Responsive, safe and sustainable’ that are not covered in the GP Forward View, and which will form the basis of further negotiation. There is recognition by NHS England of the timescale required by the resolution. Work is also underway in responding to resolution S12 on the General Practice Forward View, instructing GPC to continue to press for further dedicated resources to support GPs. GPC is working to influence the detail and implementation of the GPFV, and to hold the government to account to deliver on the positive elements. It is vital that resources and schemes within the GPFV are developed and delivered to the frontline as quickly as possible to address core pressures in general practice. GPC is represented on the GPFV oversight board, is contributing to a workstream on the practice resilience programme, and the reference group of regional LMCs is being developed to feed into GPC’s national work. GPC is additionally setting up a roundtable with the LMC reference group and NHS England to discuss implementation of the GPFV, and the key role of LMCs in monitoring and supporting delivery.
DWP Guidance on Providing Medical Reports
The DWP has updated the guidance for Healthcare professionals on providing medical reports to DWP and is available online here.
GP Trainees Subcommittee Elections
The GP trainees subcommittee is holding elections for 14 regional constituencies this summer, including the North East. Posts are held for two years, unless the representative qualifies as a GP during the first year, in which case they will only serve for one year. Nominations close at 5pm, Friday 15 July 2016. Nomination forms and further information about the elections are available here.
Anyone can stand who is either:
- on a GP training programme that will not finish before 21 September 2016;
- starting a training programme between 24 June 2016 and 30 June 2017.
Candidates do not have to be BMA members.
Please spread the word to any GP trainees you know that may be interested. If you have any queries, please contact Jonathan Longley (elections@bma.org.uk).