11 June 2020
All documents can be found here
Dear colleague
Please find below the latest GP update regarding Covid-19.
You can view the North West London password-protected GP extranet homepage using the details below.
As always, you are advised to review the full list of Covid-19-related service changes on a regular basis, to ensure you have not missed any notices.
Website: https://www.nwlondonccg.nhs.uk/professionals/coronavirus-clinical
Password: NWLCovid-19
Today’s update includes:
- Letter from NHSEI: Minimising nosocomial infections in the NHS
- Immunisations: information pack
- Measuring the impact of social prescribing during Covid-19 and sharing data
- Special Advice and Guidance by telephone and text
Letter from NHSEI: Minimising nosocomial infections in the NHS
ACTION: Read the letter in full here. In particular, note the recommendation that all staff in primary care as well as hospitals wear a surgical face mask when not in PPE or in a part of the facility that is COVID-secure.
You will be aware that the Government launched the NHS Test and Trace service last week to minimise community transmission of Covid-19. It is designed to ensure that anyone who develops symptoms can quickly be tested to find out if they have the virus and, if they do, to trace close recent contacts who will be notified that they should self-isolate at home for 14 days. There is also a recommendation that all staff in primary care as well as hospitals wear a surgical face mask when not in PPE or in a part of the facility that is COVID-secure. Follow the link above for the full letter.
Immunisations: information pack
ACTION: View the information pack here
Please follow the link to view the information pack that NW London CCGs produced in partnership with CC4C and NHSE for GPs, in response to vaccination rates having fallen due to parental anxiety around coronovirus. The pack contains:
- Advice leaflet for health care professionals
- Advice leaflet for parents about routine vaccinations during coronavirus
- A cover letter template in both email and letter format for GP practices to send with the parent advice leaflet. The paper letter includes a place for personalised information about the child’s appointment.
- A 159-character text message reminder.
Practices can choose which materials they wish to use. This information has also been issued to Primary Care Leads.
Measuring the impact of social prescribing during Covid-19 and sharing data
ACTION: Click here to read guidance on coding social prescribing activity, including on SNOMED codes
To respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, primary care will be operating a different model. Social prescribing link workers form part of the multidisciplinary teams in primary care networks (PCNs) and are uniquely placed to work closely with GPs, local authorities, health and care professionals and voluntary sector partners to co-ordinate support for these people whilst they are self-isolating. Follow the link above to read the guidance on coding social prescribing activity – in particular, how the SNOMED codes should be used by social prescribing link workers for shielded patients’ welfare checks.
