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24 April 2020

All documents can be found here

Dear colleague

Please find below the latest GP update regarding Covid-19.

You will find this update with links to the files on the new North West London password-protected site page. You can also review the full list of Covid-19 related service changes, to ensure you have not missed any notices.

Website: https://www.nwlondonccg.nhs.uk/professionals/coronavirus-clinical
Password: NWLCovid-19
 
Today’s update includes:

  • PPE reminder and clarification
  • DHSC step down infection control guidance updated 23 April
  • Guidance for Care Homes: Suspected Coronavirus Care Pathway
  • Message from NHSE: #LookingAfterYouToo
  • Institute for Employment Studies wellbeing survey

 

PPE reminder and clarification

ACTION: Ensure you are acting in accordance with the below guidance

PPE requirements at all primary care sites will need to be in accordance with the PHE recommendations (which you can find here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control). Guidance relating to PPE supplies remains unchanged. However, the following summary clarifies access routes and reiterates the messages given in recent discussions. 

Hot Hub Sites

All Hot Hubs will be supplied with the following PPE items from STP central stores to support all Covid-19 related activities conducted by them (including home visits).

  • Fluid repellent surgical masks (IIR)
  • Aprons
  • Eye protection (mainly goggles)
  • Sanitiser

Hot hubs must continue to submit the stock and activity related information included in the PPE stock return on a daily basis.
Hot Hubs can make a request to replenish the above stock items by emailing: nwlccgs.covid19ppesupplies@nhs.net. Please ensure that requests are made at least 4 to 5 days before your current stock levels are due to run out. When ordering these items, please identify that you are a Hot Hub by including the following in the subject bar of the email: HOT HUB STOCK REPLENISHMENT REQUEST.
 
If a Hot Hub requires any other PPE items in addition to the four mentioned above, they will need to follow the 3-step process outlined below.
 

Other General Practice Sites

All practices must follow the process outlined below when procuring the recommended PPE required to support the activities being undertaken. This process applies to all general practices carrying out homes visits as well as seeing patients face to face at the practice.

  • Step 1: To order their PPE through their business as usual (BAU) supply chains first (namely NHS supply chain or other wholesalers, distributors, online etc.)
  • Step 2: If unable to secure through their BAU channels, practice should then contact the National Supply Disruption Response (NSDR) via the 24/7 helpline: 0800 915 9964 (Freephone number in the UK)
  • Step 3: If they have an urgent requirement for the PPE and cannot secure supplies via their BAU route and after escalating to the NSDR, practice should contact the dedicated NWL PPE Supplies team by sending an email to: nwlccgs.covid19ppesupplies@nhs.net

Please note that the NWL PPE Supplies team is NOT replacing the normal supply chain, and is there to support all healthcare providers by providing them with short-term emergency PPE supplies to bridge the gap until their standard business as usual supply chain is re-established. This is to avoid stock-outs.

As the emergency stock is provided under the ‘mutual aid’ agreement and draws upon the STP Covid-19 pandemic supplies, requests will be triaged to ensure:

  • Items requested are available and suitable for the purpose (and care setting) requested for
  • The quantity requested is deemed appropriate given the:

-          Current stock levels of pandemic stock across the STP;
-          Number of days current stock held at site will last (number of days before stock-out);
-          The total Covid-19 related activity undertaken by the practice; and,
-          The date you are expected to receive next delivery (either from normal supplier or NSDR).
 

DHSC step down infection control guidance updated 23 April

ACTION: Read the guidance in full and note the update as below

This guidance provides advice on appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) precautions for Covid-19 patients recovering or recovered from Covid-19 and remaining in hospital, or being discharged to their own home or residential care. It was updated on 23 April 2020 as follows: clarification in section 2 of testing capacity and strategy; section 2.1 repeat testing at 14 days; section 3 clarification of testing capacity and strategy.
 

Guidance for Care Homes: Suspected Coronavirus Care Pathway

ACTION: To review the care home pathway for suspected Covid-19 care, click here

The NHS London Out of Hospital Cell, London Clinical Networks, London Directors of Public Health and Adult Social Care, Health Innovation Network and Public Health England are collaborating to provide practical guidance to assist the care and support vulnerable adults receive during Covid-19.

Via the link you will find:

  • A covering letter from NHSEI
  • Nursing and Residential Care Homes Guidance to support suspected Covid-19 care that was approved by the London Clinical Advisory Group on 17 April 2020.

It is designed to complement and not replace local guidance and professional judgement. If you have any queries, contact england.london-scn@nhs.net.
 

#LookingAfterYouToo: individual coaching support for primary care staff

NHSEI has announced that all clinical and non-clinical primary care workforce, whether NHS employed or contracted can now access individual coaching support by video link or telephone with highly trained, experienced coaches. 

This service has been developed in collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners and will complement the wider range of health and wellbeing resources launched at  www.people.nhs.uk. Primary care staff can register here and book individual coaching in a way and at a time of day that suits them.

 

Institute for Employment Studies wellbeing survey

If you are a member of the primary care workforce, the Institute for Employment Studies would like to invite you take part in a short survey to understand the current wellbeing of the primary care workforce, as part of their evaluation of this work. The survey will take no longer that 5 minutes to complete and will contribute to a valuable piece of research.