Primary Care Coronavirus briefing – Coventry and Warwickshire – 22 May 2020 (Issue 42)
22 May 2020
Attachments
Sent on behalf of the COVID-19 Primary Care Incident Management Team for Coventry and Rugby, South Warwickshire and Warwickshire North CCGs
Primary Care Coronavirus briefing – Coventry and Warwickshire – 22 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
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
TODAY’S ATTACHMENTS
· Item 4: Urgent mental health support information from CWPT: Urgent_Adult_Mental_Health_support_Flyer_A4_Final May 2020.pdf
· Item 7: EMIS Library COVID-19 searches, protocol, and alerts: EMIS Library COVID-19 searches, protocol, and alerts.docx
· Item 16: Access to primary care services – new public facing script: 00b__Primary_care_access_during_COVID19_public_script_FINAL.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 22.05.2020
· 2,200 cases now confirmed in Coventry and Warwickshire (+33 / +1.5% from Wednesday)
· 100 of these are currently admitted (-5 / -4.8% from Wednesday)
· 685 beds still available (-9 / -1.3% from Wednesday)
· 6 ITU beds occupied by Covid patients (-1 / -14.3% from Wednesday)
· 454 reported deaths in a hospital setting (+6 / +1.3% from Wednesday)
Care Home current position as at 22.05.2020
· 215 Covid related deaths in care homes (+9 / +4.4% from Wednesday, note some of these deaths may have occurred outside of the home and so may be counted in the figure above)
· 537 Care home deaths in total (+15 / +2.9% from Wednesday)
· 666 confirmed cases (+16 / +2.5% from Wednesday)
· Confirmed care home cases broken down by CCG:
o Coventry & Rugby: 328
o South Warwickshire: 228
o Warwickshire North: 110
LATEST LOCAL UPDATE
1. Bank Holiday Monday (25 May)
Thank you to all practices for working over previous bank holidays to continue to provide services to patients and the public during COVID-19. We are not expecting GP practices to open for the upcoming Whitsun Bank Holiday (25 May) and the normal Out of Hours service will be in place.
2. PCN deadlines approaching – actions needed
Following on from the publication of the Network DES for 2020/2021, the first of several key dates is fast approaching. By 31 May all existing PCNs must have informed their commissioner of any proposed changes to their PCN (eg the nominated payee, membership, network area or clinical director) or, importantly have confirmed that there will be no changes.
3. Joint statement on personalised approaches to care and treatment
A Joint Statement on personalised approaches to care and treatment has been issued and is available to read on the NHS England website: download the statement
4. Urgent Mental Health Support
An A4 flyer from CWPT outlining the mental health support available across Coventry and Warwickshire. They have a range of experienced NHS staff and clinicians who will be able to guide you to service offers available to you across Coventry and Warwickshire. (Attachment: Urgent_Adult_Mental_Health_support_Flyer_A4_Final May 2020.pdf)
5. Spring Bank Holiday (Monday, 25 May 2020) Pharmacy Opening
The pharmacy opening hours across the Midlands region can also be accessed by patients and healthcare professionals at www.england.nhs.uk/midlands/nhs-england-and-nhs-improvement-midlands-work/bank-holiday-pharmacy-opening times/
6. Flu vaccination programme
Concerns have been raised on the recently issued letter detailing the upcoming flu vaccination programme for this winter. We are awaiting further guidance from NHS England on the flu vaccination programme and this will be shared once received via this briefing.
7. EMIS Library COVID-19 searches, protocol, and alerts
Following a clinical review of our EMIS Library COVID-19 resources, we are changing the usage of one specific code within these to better support the care of patients with, or suspected of having, COVID-19.
From 20th May, our EMIS-authored searches and protocols will treat the code Detection of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) using polymerase chain reaction technique (Concept ID 1240511000000106) as the undertaking of a coronavirus test procedure, rather than a positive clinical finding as the result of such a test. Further information is attached. (Attachment: EMIS Library COVID-19 searches, protocol, and alerts.docx)
8. CPD module available – burnout
A New CPD Module from NB Medical on burnout is available. Our latest online learning module is on Burnout. This condition has had growing recognition within the medical community in recent years and has a particular relevance during the upheaval due to the coronavirus pandemic but we don’t often consider burnout in our patients.
In this module, we examine the causes of burnout, who it affects and why, how it manifests, and how we can help both our patients and ourselves.
If you are already subscribed to NB Learning, you will be able to view this module in your NB Dashboard or if you are new to NB Learning, subscribe here.
9. Lessons form Covid-19 – a free, virtual conference
Risky Business Events, in collaboration with The BMJ and Great Ormond Street Hospital, supported by the Medical Protection Society, have partnered to create this free, virtual conference for the multidisciplinary teams in the pandemic frontline. Taking place on Monday 2 June from 12pm to 3pm via Zoom.
The idea of the event is to provide front-line clinical professionals who have been working flat out and exhausted with a succinct latest update on the science, the medicine, the technology and the people (well being) with respect to the Covid-19 crisis.
We anticipate this event to be very popular so encourage you to book as soon as possible to guarantee your virtual seat. Further information.
10. E-learning from the LGBT Foundation
GP's can access a free e-learning course which has been developed by the LGBT Foundation with the RCGP. Access to the courses is available online. The LGBT Foundation also allows access to a wide range of resources around LGBT Health on their website.
11. Website update – now live
The new CWCovid website has been established to put the information sent via the daily updates into one convenient archive and reference site. We are still making some tweaks so if a link doesn’t quite work do let us know via warnoccg.covid19primarycarecommunications@nhs.net. If you have any comments we would love to hear them.
12. Primary care wellbeing survey – reminder
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.
LATEST UPDATES FOR EACH PLACE
UPDATES FOR Coventry and Rugby – 22 May 2020
13. Coventry Safeguarding Adults board posters on abuse and neglect
Safeguarding means protecting the health and wellbeing of adults with care and support needs enabling individuals to live safely, free from abuse and neglect. It is also about people and organisations working together to prevent and reduce both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect.
During this pandemic, the Coventry Safeguarding Adults Board has been highlighting the importance of safeguarding adults, particularly to members of the public who might be acting as volunteers within their community. The Board is pleased to share with you a new range of 10 posters focussing on different types of abuse and neglect, together with details on what to do if there is a concern around an adult with care and support needs.
You are encouraged to share these resources widely.
Find the posters and read more about safeguarding adults at our website here
UPDATES FOR South Warwickshire – 22 May 2020
14. Diabetes Update
South Warwickshire Foundation Trust is providing some extra Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN) support for any South Warwickshire patients with diabetes.
Patients with diabetes can contact a DSN 8am -8pm, 7 days a week for the next 3 months on 07775 012696. This service is also available for practice to use too should they have concerns regarding Diabetic patients.
The diabetic team will be holding the mobile on a rotational basis to ensure coverage.
The team recognise that many patients may be anxious about how COVID could affect their diabetes and/or their existing medications. The DSN can support patients with a range of queries including queries on their existing treatments, sick day rules and general concerns of COVID on their diabetes. Patients are not required to have been previously seen by the diabetic team to contact a DSN.
Please note as well as the mobile number above GPs still have access to Consultant Connect, which will now also be available 8am-8pm, 7 days a week.
Should the DSN need to make any changes to treatments/medications, SWFT will action the first prescription and will relay any changes to Primary Care via letter.
UPDATES FOR Warwickshire North – 22 May 2020
No updates this issue.
LATEST NATIONAL PICTURE
· As of 9.00am on 21 May 2020, 3,090,566 people have been tested in the UK, (with 128, 340 tests carried out on 20 May) and 250,908 have been confirmed as positive. The number of COVID-19 associated deaths in the UK is 36,042. (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 29,221.)
· Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock gave the 21 May 2020 daily press briefing on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, transcript available to view online.
· Slides and data sets used by used by The Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP and Professor Chris Whitty to accompany press briefing here.
· Government to offer antibody tests to health and social care staff and patients in England.
· Trial of rapid coronavirus test launched in Hampshire.
· Press conference: 20 May 2020 can be found here.
· Slides and data sets used by used by The Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP and Professor Stephen Powis to accompany press briefing here.
· Home office extends bereavement scheme to NHS support staff and social care workers.
· The latest government advice on coronavirus is available online.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM NHS ENGLAND
15. NHS England Primary Care Bulletin – new edition – 22 May
COVID-19: latest guidance for general practice is issued in the NHS England Primary Care Bulletin (22 May) and in this edition has details patients being redirected to NHS 111. 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 – 21 May
COVID-19: latest guidance for general practice is issued in the NHS England Primary Care Bulletin (21 May) and in this edition has details Legionella and Pseudomonas risks and GP contraceptive services for patients to continue during COVID-19 pandemic.
17. Access to primary care services – new public facing script
Attached is updated information to clearly set out to the public how primary care services are operating during covid-19. The update reflects the new symptomology for covid-19 and replace the previous script. (Attachment: 00b__Primary_care_access_during_COVID19_public_script_FINAL.docx)
18. COVID-19 – guidance
Public Health England continues to work with Government, Local Authorities and partners as the situation with COVID-19 evolves. This week, new information about the case definition of COVID-19 was announced. A loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia) has been added to the previous symptoms of COVID-19 of a new continuous cough and fever.
PHE has updated all guidance for all settings to reflect the change in the case definition. All new and existing PHE guidance can be accessed via the GOV.UK collection page.
19. Resources to help people with a learning disability or autism access NHS services
Two new documents about accessing NHS services during coronavirus are now available. One is in easy read for people with a learning disability and the other in plain English for those with autism.
20. 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
Note the pharmacy opening times for the forthcoming Bank Holiday weekend.
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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.
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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
