BEST Events – Held @ Shaw Lane Sports Club, Barnsley
For further information the BEST Portal Website can be accessed at http://best.barnsleycc.nhs.uk/
Medicines Management
Shared care and Amber-G guidelines can be found at the following link: http://best.barnsleyccg.nhs.uk/clinical-support/medicines/shared-care-guidelines/ An overview of Shared Care guidelines, including the Principles of Shared Care is available to read here.
Prescribers (including secondary care clinicians) are encouraged to report any problems they experience with shared care or other medicines related issue, particularly where guidelines are not being complied with, to the following email address: BarnsleyAPCReport@nhs.net.
With secondary care opening up activity and undertaking remote consultations, it has been reported that there has been increased pressure in primary care to undertake things they wouldn’t normally. Due to this, the APC reporting has been temporarily expanded to capture any issues and these can be fed into the APC. The hospitals need this information so that issues can be addressed.
Practices can now report any interface issues they have, as much as possible, via Barnsley LMC, which will then be submitted to the hospitals.
A list of Prescribing Guidelines is available to view here.
The Barnsley Area Joint Formulary is available to view here.
Medicines Management monthly Newsletters are available to view here.
Workload Shift
Barnsley LMC would like to remind all practices it is important that we receive examples of any workload shift. Please provide examples of workload shift to barnsley.lmc@nhs.net in order that these can be taken to the meeting with Secondary Care.
We would also request that practices provide examples to Barnsley LMC of any patients who appear to have been waiting for an unreasonable amount of time for follow up appointments from the hospital that may be detrimental to patient care/outcome.
D1 issue: Email Address to Request Clean Copies
clean copies of D1s should be requested from BHNFT using the email address bdg-tr.formsupport@nhs.net instead of bhnft.clinicalsystems@nhs.net (requests already sent to this email address will be dealt with and do not need to be resent). We have been advised that practices have been emailed directly regarding this.
Please can you continue to also copy in barnsleyapcreport@nhs.net.
Referrals to SALT
You may have seen a form and update about referrals to SALT for people who have speech, language and communication difficulties as well as swallowing difficulties. Currently the form has to be completed by hand and is not integrated with clinical systems. You are free to use this form if you wish but this is not yet mandatory. We have asked about integration with clinical systems and we are waiting for a response. Once received we will update further.
Wellbeing Resources
A range of wellbeing and support services are available to doctors, and we encourage anybody who is feeling under strain to seek support. Please take a moment to check in on your colleagues’ wellbeing and look out for each other. Support comes in various forms, from 24/7 confidential counselling and peer support services to networking groups and wellbeing hubs with peers, as well as the NHS practitioner health service and non-medical support services such as Samaritans. The Louise Tebboth Foundation is a charity that campaigns for the prevention of suicide and the mental wellbeing of doctors in England and Wales The organisation Doctors in Distress also provides mental health support for health workers in the UK, providing confidential peer support group sessions. Please visit the BMA’s dedicated wellbeing support services page for further information.
Digital Firearms Markers
You will be aware of issues with the implementation of the new digital firearms marker for practices using the EMIS system. GPC raised these issues with the Home Office and NHS Digital has agreed to a temporary suspension of the EMIS system marker to ensure that the system is addressing the issues raised and enable testing to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the flags that are currently popping up. The BMA are continuing to work with the Home Office, Police Chiefs and NHS Digital to implement a firearms marker that will improve the current system for GPs and provide a safer and more efficient system to benefit the public. However, they are still looking for clarification/guidance on what doctors should do immediately when the flag comes up. GPC is conscious that any revised system remains easy to use for GPs and importantly, does not distract or amount to an administrative burden and workload for practices
Accelerating Access to Records
NHS England will be enabling clinical record access to patients via the NHS App on 1st November. A toolkit is expected to be circulated to practices ahead of this and discussions have remained to ensure rollout is neither burdensome nor disruptive to practices. NHSE will be in touch with practices directly to explain the changes taking place and how GPs can support rollout
LMC Buying Group
Barnsley LMC has been a member of the LMC Buying Groups Federation since 2013. This means that practices can access the discounts the Buying Group has negotiated on a wide range of products and services. If you’re not sure what the Buying Group is all about then this short video explains what they do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FekMwFI5ILg.
By registering with the Buying Group: www.lmcbuyinggroups.co.uk/members/, you can view all the suppliers’ pricing, contact details and request quotes. The Buying Group also offers any member practice a free cost analysis which demonstrates how much money your practice could save just by swapping to buying group suppliers. Tel: 0115 979 6910 Email: info@lmcbuyinggroups.co.uk Website: www.lmcbuyinggroups.co.uk