Coventry & Warwickshire COVID-19 Portal

 

Primary Care Coronavirus briefing – Coventry and Warwickshire – 13 May 2020 

 

**Please find below the latest primary care coronavirus briefing.**

 

Information provided by NHS Coventry and Rugby CCG, NHS South Warwickshire CCG and NHS Warwickshire North CCG in line with Public Health England guidance.

 

This information may change rapidly as the situation develops. For the latest information for primary care, visit: https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/primary-care  

 

1. Information around referrals – a reminder

 

As advised in the second phase of the NHS response to COVID-19, a reminder that GPs should make ALL two-week wait cancer, urgent and routine referrals to secondary care as normal now, using ‘advice and guidance’ and Consultant Connect options where appropriate.

 

Today’s topics – use the links to jump to each section

 

**Latest local picture**

**Local updates** 

**Latest updates for each PLACE (Coventry and Rugby, South Warwickshire, Warwickshire North)**

 

Latest national picture

Communications from NHS England

Actions for Primary Care

 

Practice nurse communications - updated

 

TODAY’S ATTACHMENTS 

 

• Item 2 Documents and FAQs to support NHS111/CCAS Slots on EMIS:

• Direct_booking_in_primary_care_using_NHS_111_or_CCAS_via_GP_connect.pdf

• Appendix 2 - EMIS Guidance CCAS V8.0.pdf

• 111 Direct Booking FAQs Part 1.pdf

• 111 Direct Booking FAQs Part 2.pdf

 

• Item 3: Professor John Newton, the National Testing Co-ordinator, has drafted a letter advising NHS organisations against the purchase and use of antibody tests: Letter from Professor John Newton.pdf

 

• Item 14: A request from GEH around weight bearing x-rays: Weight bearing X-rays in Foot and Ankle.docx

 

LATEST LOCAL PICTURE

Please remember: we are issuing the briefing three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) communications via: warnoccg.covid19primarycarecommunications@nhs.net. We would also ask that if you have questions or concerns relating to the current situation around coronavirus and COVID-19 you use the same address: warnoccg.covid19primarycarecommunications@nhs.net. Please keep us updated with any issues that you may be having so we can try to address them.

 

Coventry and Warwickshire COVID position up to 13.05.2020

• 2,080 cases now confirmed in Coventry and Warwickshire (+2 / +0.1% from Tuesday)

• 115 of these are currently admitted (-7 / -5.7% from Tuesday)

• 706 beds still available (+43 / +6.5% from Tuesday)

• 5 ITU beds occupied by Covid patients (+0 / +0.0% from Tuesday)

• 433 reported deaths in a hospital setting (+8 / +1.9% from Tuesday)

 

Care Home current position as at 13.05.2020

• 188 Covid related deaths in care homes (+0 / +0.0% from Tuesday, note some of these deaths may have occurred outside of the home and so may be counted in the figure above)

• 493 Care home deaths in total (+0 / +0.0% from Tuesday)

• 512 confirmed cases (+0 / +0.0% from Tuesday)

• Confirmed care home cases broken down by CCG:

o Coventry & Rugby: 230

o South Warwickshire: 185

o Warwickshire North: 97

 

LATEST LOCAL UPDATE

2. NHS111/CCAS Slots on EMIS

 

The below information is being shared to clarify the requirements from the numerous updates regarding EMIS slots for NHS111 and the new CCAS service.

 

Requirement

• Practices must make 1 appointment per 500 patients available to CCAS / NHS111 to 30/6/2020

• Page 10 of the attached guidance makes it clear that:

o The increased slots (1 in 500) replace and are not in addition to 1 in 3000 appointments contractually required for NHS111 under our GMS contract

o The practice should use its judgement when calculating the number of slots for each 

 

EMIS Setup

It is important to note that CCAS is provided by South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) and NHS111 by West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS). You therefore need to setup two organisation groups in EMIS – one for each provider.

EMIS guidance on how to do this can be found at https://www.emisnow.com/csm?id=kb_article&sysparm_article=KB0064483&sys_kb_id=c4f7d0d41bd4d4107937a8a4bd4bcbfa

The codes for each ambulance service are:

• South Central Ambulance Service = RYEA3

• West Midlands Ambulance Service = RYA06

You then need to use filters in the EMIS appointment book to ‘reserve’ appointment slots for each ambulance service. Please note: you can only apply one filter per session meaning you need to setup separate sessions for SCAS CCAS and WMAS NHS111.

 

(Attachments: Direct_booking_in_primary_care_using_NHS_111_or_CCAS_via_GP_connect.pdf; Appendix 2 - EMIS Guidance CCAS V8.0.pdf; 111 Direct Booking FAQs Part 1.pdf; 111 Direct Booking FAQs Part 2.pdf)

 

3. Guidance on antibody testing 

 

Professor John Newton, the National Testing Co-ordinator, advises NHS organisations against the purchase and use of antibody tests that have not been verified in a laboratory setting. The results of an inaccurate test are potentially misleading and can put people at risk of contracting the disease and transmitting it to others. The Chief Medical Officer’s advice is that he strongly discourages the use of unvalidated tests. Please find letter attached (Letter from Professor John Newton.pdf)

 

4. COVID-19: management of exposed healthcare workers and patients in healthcare settings

 

Guidance has been produced on the management of healthcare staff and patients who have been exposed to COVID-19. The page also includes Flow chart for return to work following a SARS-CoV-2 test which is very useful.

 

5. Bank Holiday Monday (25 May)

 

Thank you also for the additional efforts made to support the additional Bank Holiday provision last week and over Easter. We understand that, as announced in the primary care webinars last week, that it is anticipated treating 25th May as a normal Bank Holiday. This is dependent and conditional on local arrangements being made as normal to provide cover.

 

6. Our plan to rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy

 

Published by the Cabinet Office on 11 May 2020. This document is the Government’s roadmap for how and when the UK will adjust its response to the COVID-19 crisis.

 

7. Translated messaging re: COVID-19 testing & treatment for overseas visitors

 

Messaging around NHS entitlements in relation to COVID-19 for overseas visitors, including anyone living in the UK without permission, has been translated into 40 languages. There is also translated advice and guidance on social distancing and shielding. You can find them online: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-entitlements-migrant-health-guide#main-messages

 

8. Cancer Research UK

 

Cancer Research UK has developed a short film reminding patients to see a GP should they show symptoms. There is also a leaflet aimed at GPs and other health professionals found here.

 

9. Individual coaching support for primary care staff - reminder

The coaching offer has generated considerable interest since launch on 24 April, with 570 bookings and 190 coaching sessions having taken place by 11 May. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with almost all respondents saying that they had felt listened to and that the session had enabled them to move forward. A reminder that this coaching service is open to ALL frontline primary care workforce, clinical and non-clinical and whether directly employed by the NHS or working on an NHS contract. To find out more and book a 1:1 coaching session at a time and in a way that suits you, go to the Look After You Too webpage.

 

With such positive comments as “This session made a huge difference to me and I am very grateful.”; My coach was encouraging and managed the session well to ensure it was of benefit throughout and achieving what I was aiming for.”; “Discussed some useful tips to use in certain scenarios that I think may help me.” This is a free offer that you are encouraged to take up.

 

10. Primary care wellbeing survey – updated link

NHS England is looking to understand the current wellbeing of the primary care workforce, and invites you to take part in a short survey undertaken by the Institute for Employment Studies to support this and to support the wider evaluation of the #lookingafteryoutoo primary care coaching offer. The survey will take no longer that five minutes to complete and will contribute to their ongoing response to support your wellbeing. 

 

11. HMRC Announcement - UK PPE Zero Rate - 1st May 2020

 

As you will be aware the government has announced that specified PPE can be zero rated from 1st May 2020 when supplied in the UK. This is a temporary measure which will last until the end of July 2020 and complements HMRC’s previous announcement that no VAT will be chargeable on imports of the same types of PPE.

 

It is the suppliers obligation to get this right, there is no remedy in the VAT return process to be able to stop VAT being charged. VAT which is charged on goods will not be recoverable through COS and this will present a cost to NHS bodies if the supplier charges VAT in error. Where VAT is charged where it should not be, you should ask for a credit note, from the supplier, for the VAT charged in error. 

 

It is therefore vital that you, your budget holders and your procurement teams are fully aware of the temporary rules. To support in communicating this to your teams and to your suppliers, we provide the following (highlighted in yellow):

 

HMRC has announced that certain types of PPE supplied in the UK can be zero rated from 1st May. The goods involved are those specified by Public Health England as recommended for use in connection with protection from coronavirus, more information is available by accessing the link below:

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/revenue-and-customs-brief-4-2020-temporary-vat-zero-rating-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe/revenue-and-customs-brief-4-2020-temporary-vat-zero-rating-of-personal-protective-equipment-ppe

 

The 1st of day cut off means that where goods have not been delivered, invoiced or paid for after the 1st May they must be supplied as zero rated and not subject to VAT.

 

HMRC have also stated that if any further information is required by suppliers on this they can email HMRC at: ppe@hmrc.gov.uk

 

This information will also be shared on our external website on COVID information for suppliers and on our Intranet FAQs.

 

The SBS VAT team are fully aware of this change and should any anomalies be identified as part of the normal review process, we will raise them with you in order that you can investigate further with your supplier.

 

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

NHS Shared Business Services

12. Daily bulletin updates – updated timings

 

We are moving the daily briefing to three times a week to match the reduction in the primary care IMT meetings. If there are urgent updates to be issued these will be sent out in between. After today, the bullet will be issued on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

 

LATEST UPDATES FOR EACH PLACE

UPDATES FOR Coventry and Rugby – 13 May 2020 

No updates this issue.

UPDATES FOR South Warwickshire – 13 May 2020 

13. Electronic GP Discharges

Dear Practice Managers, 

The maternity department at South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust is introducing a new electronic GP discharge summaries from maternity care. This will enable us to send mother and baby discharge summaries directly to the named GP surgery. These documents will be sent via our secure Docman account from the maternity unit to each surgery and will include the ‘maternal and neonatal transfer of care to community’ summaries which were previously printed and handed in by new mothers after they were discharged from the maternity unit.

They will be sent using GP practice codes so there is nothing you have to do to activate this. 

We are hoping to go live with this on the 01/06/2020 please get in touch before this date if you have any questions. 

Best wishes,

Maria Rich, Quality Improvement Midwife, South Warwickshire Foundation Trust 

 

UPDATES FOR Warwickshire North – 13 May 2020 

 

14. Weight bearing X-rays in Foot and Ankle at GEH

 

The foot and ankle department at George Elliot Hospital are requesting all the GPs to request weight bearing x-rays when the referrals are made to be seen in the hospital. Full details are attached (Weight bearing X-rays in Foot and Ankle.docx)

 

LATEST NATIONAL PICTURE 

 

• As of 9.00am on 12 May 2020, 1,460,517 people have been tested in the UK, (with 85,293 tests carried out on 11 May) and 226,463 were confirmed as positive. The number of COVID-19 associated deaths in the UK is 32,692. (Please note: there is now an improved daily reporting system for deaths, so that deaths in all settings are included, wherever the individual has tested positive for COVID-19, rather than just those in hospitals. On the old measure there would have been 27,171.)  

• Business Secretary Alok Sharma gave the 12 May 2020 daily press briefing on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the transcript is available to read online. The address can also be viewed on YouTube.  

• Press conference slides and datasets used by The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP and Professor Stephen Powis during the briefing on 12 May 2020

• The latest government advice on coronavirus is available online and has been update to reflect the new Stay Alert messaging.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM NHS ENGLAND

 

15. NHS England Primary Care Bulletin – new edition – 13 May

 

COVID-19: latest guidance for general practice is issued in the NHS England Primary Care Bulletin (13 May) and in this issue is detail around individual coaching support for primary care staff and a revised link to the Health and wellbeing survey. This regular COVID-19 Primary Care Bulletin is from Dr Nikki Kanani and Ed Waller and you are encouraged to sign up here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/email-bulletins/general-practice-bulletin/. 

 

16. NHS England Primary Care Bulletin – 12 May

 

You may have missed the NHS England Primary Care Bulletin (12 May) which features a leading piece celebrating International Nurses Day, plus an update on total triage and remote consultations and digital support for care home providers.  

 

17. GP Preparedness Webinar

 

The next primary care webinar is tomorrow, 14 May between 5pm and 6pm. The link to join, via Microsoft Teams, is here. To submit any questions you have for the general practice webinar in advance using, please use this online form.

 

18. Media enquiries 

Our communications team is here to support you if needed. If you are approached by the media, please forward on to your local communications team: agem.communications@nhs.net. Outside of working hours the communications team can be reached via 01522 537887.   

 

ACTIONS FOR PRIMARY CARE

Do note the times for this week’s GP preparedness webinar.

Take advantage of the coaching offer from NHS England.

Do participate in the primary care wellbeing survey.

PRACTICE NURSE COMMUNICATIONS

19. Digital Nurse Network

 

Of interest to GP practice nurses and those working in nursing roles across the NHS, the Digital Nurse Network is a free online community supporting nursing teams within general practice and other care settings to learn more about digital services available to them and their patients. This webinar is to increase your awareness of the network and the support on offer to nursing teams throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Why? To reduce the pressure on primary care, improve medical outcomes and provide better patient and staff experience.  

 

This webinar is on 14 May, between 4.30pm and 5.00pm will consist of a 15 minute presentation and 15 minute Q&A. 

 

If you have any questions you would like answering during the webinar please email england.empowertheperson@nhs.net quoting Digital Nurse Network Webinar Register Here

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Please note: This is the designated inbox for all Primary Care enquiries for practices across Coventry and Warwickshire, set up to help support practices and provide a single point of contact to send and receive information about the rapidly developing COVID-19 situation. Please be aware that guidance is changing regularly and we are endeavouring to keep you as up to date as possible.

 

Please note: the CCG has made the decision to use every email distribution list at its disposal in order to ensure as many people as possible receive these important updates. If you no longer wish to receive these updates, please reply to this email and we will remove you from the distribution list.

 

The inbox is monitored regularly, and we will respond to you as soon as we can. 

 

In the meantime, the latest guidance for primary care can be found here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/primary-care/