Bulletin 26.04.2016

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Bulletin 26.04.2016

General Practice Forward View
You cannot fail to have heard the latest announcement from NHS England which looks to invest £2.4bn into general practice over the next 5 years. The General Practice Forward View is certainly a welcome recognition support required to ensure that general practice continues to be fit for purpose central plank to the NHS. Chaand Nagpaul has helpfully provided this summary of the document, within his latest newsletter, together with a letter to practices. Whilst the Forward View represents a comprehensive package of support to general practice, both in the immediate and longer term, there are equally clear there are a number of areas requiring more clarity and work on the detail of implementation highlighting the need for further information and analysis of the proposals before we can fully understand their significance. GPC will continue to push NHS England to respond to the remaining areas outlined in their Urgent Prescription which they have yet to address, as we believe implementation of these are vital to help resolve both the current crisis facing general practice and to provide sustainability for the future. In terms of next steps, the LMC Conference in May will provide an important opportunity for grass roots GPs to consider and debate the Forward View. GPC will sit on the Advisory Oversight Group which will steer and drive implementation of the measures; it is vital that this programme of support is delivered rapidly so that practices receive the support so urgently needed. CLMC will be debating this document and proposals at length within the LMC and with commissioners and will keep practices up to date with developments as we learn of how the proposals will be turned into action.

Fees for Responding to the Police Letter Regarding Firearms
The response to the police’s letter indicating whether there are any concerns and that a code on the patient’s medical record has been added is not part of a GP’s contract. It is therefore up to the GP to assess how best to proceed, taking on board the following factors and guidance:

  1. The work involved in responding to the letter is minimal and therefore can be undertaken easily without delay and without a fee.
  2. The work involved in responding to the letter requires time and resources from the practice that necessitate a fee to be charged to the patient (the police should not be charged). We would advise GPs to seek confirmation from the patient that they are in agreement to pay a fee before undertaking the work so not to cause additional confusion or delay. If there is a delay owing to this and you are unable to respond to the letter within the 21 days, please notify the police of this.
  3. No one in the practice is available (e.g. on holiday or off sick) to complete the work within 21 days. Please notify the police without delay.
  4. The practice does not have the capacity to undertake the work within the 21 days. Please notify the police without delay.
  5. That the GP has a conscientious objection to gun ownership and no other GP in the practice is available or able to undertake the work. Please notify the police without delay.

Prison GP Network
We have been contacted by Alex Bunn, the BMA representative for prison GPs. Alex would create a network of support for prison GPs who do a ‘punishing job’, often in a very isolated and potentially risky environment. If you would like to connect with prison colleagues, share policies, discuss best practice, and hear about educational events, contact Alex to join the network. You do NOT need to be a BMA member. Please pass on Alex’s details to any colleagues who might benefit, as this is a hard to reach specialty, even when unlocked! Contact Alex Bunn on alexbunn@btinternet.com or mobile 0780 313 0203.

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