Issue 167
Newsletter February 2022
BEST Events – Held @ Shaw Lane Sports Club, Barnsley
For further information the BEST Portal Website can be accessed at http://best.barnsleyccg.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.
Maternal and Infant Feeding Implementor Group
Public health are looking for a GP who is passionate about breast feeding to join their maternal and infant feeding implementor group. The Terms of Reference (TOR) are available in the link below. If anyone would like to be involved please contact Amy Baxter, amybaxter@barnsley.gov.uk
To All GPs and Practices
In the next few months, we will see CCGs come to an end and South Yorkshire ICS become the commissioner of services across Rotherham, Sheffield, Doncaster and Barnsley. South Yorkshire LMCs meet regularly together and have identified some areas that we feel would benefit from being commissioned (and improved) across the region. In particular, we have discussed Transgender services/prescribing, Adult Autism Referrals and Spirometry. We would love to hear from as many GPs as possible about which services you feel we should be focusing on. As the new ICS takes over commissioning there are likely to be many changes and we would value your input in creating a ‘Wish List’ of improvements to ensure services that impact on General Practice are prioritised. Please email any ideas to sheffieldccg.SYLMC@nhs.net.
Rapid Access Chest Pain Criteria
Please see the criteria for the rapid access chest clinic below for your information.
Deployment of COVID-19 Treatments for Non-hospitalised Patients
Letter to general practices from Dr Kiren Collison and Ed Waller about the deployment of COVID-19 treatments for highest risk non-hospitalised patients.
Lung Cancer Patients Benefit From New Drug
Thousands of lung cancer patients in England will be fast-tracked a new drug which can significantly reduce the risk of cancer returning.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has approved atezolizumab, to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with more than 850 patients in England expected to be eligible for the drug in the first year, rising to more than 1000 in the third year. More…..
Next Steps for General Practice
Guidance for primary care networks (PCNs) to focus on three priority areas while continuing to use their professional judgement to clinically prioritise care: continued delivery of general practice services; management of symptomatic COVID-19 patients in the community and ongoing delivery of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
Infection Prevention Control Remains in Primary Care Settings
Following the Government announcement that face coverings will no longer be mandatory in public places it should be noted that the UK Health Security Agency’s infection prevention control (IPC) guidance remains in place for all staff and patients, in GP practices, dental practices, optometrists and pharmacies to ensure that everyone is protected.
UK-wide Study For Antivirals
Over 5,000 vulnerable people have now enrolled into a world-class study for the chance to receive life-saving antivirals.
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