Avon LMCs Newsletter on 05-02-25

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The ALMC Newsletter

Welcome to our weekly newsletter, sharing the latest news and topics of interest for practices.

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– LATEST NEWS –

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Last week, the HSJ reported that Wes Streeting wanted ICBs to tackle the minority of GP practices “who are coasting at the expense of those who are striving hard.” Obviously, most journalism needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, but this has not landed well in the current climate. What these “coasting” GPs have actually done is provide record numbers of patient appointments as well as supporting the 7.7 million patients on hospital waiting lists. All of this with 7% fewer GPs, a 20% cut in real-terms funding and a 7% increase in population, since 2016.

It was lovely to catch up with my fellow GP Trainers last week at the annual Bristol Trainers’ day. The highlight for me was the excellent keynote talk from Tom Pelly about maximising the benefits of Artificial Intelligence. It was illuminating to hear about its use within BNSSG practices and I will definitely be taking back some ideas to my own practice.

I will be taking some much-needed leave after this week but the excellent team at the LMC office will be able to direct your queries to the correct person: just email info@almc.co.uk. This is also a reminder to carve out some “me” time for yourself and look after you, as it’s the best investment you will ever make.

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes: including you.” – Anne Lamott

Shaba Nabi
Chair: Avon LMC

Bariatric Surgery Monitoring

Avon LMC has written a letter to providers to inform them, that in the absence of a funded, commissioned pathway, general practice will not be taking on the monitoring of new patients following Bariatric Surgery.

We have also written a template letter (download here) for you to send to providers to pushback on this work, and narrative for a text template (download here) to send to patients. The template letter will be embedded in EMIS in due course.

All of this can be found on our collective action web page.

Eating Disorders Physical Monitoring LES

The specification for this was shared last week by the ICB and we would encourage practices to inform the ICB of their intentions. The LMC would like to highlight that this LES is for low-risk, adult patients only (maximum monthly monitoring requirements) and the responsibility for general practice is to convey the results of physical monitoring (phlebotomy will be delegated, so blood results will be returned to AWP)

Prescribing for Teledermatology pilot

Avon LMC has clarified that the funding for the PCN teledermatology pilot (which is likely to be rolled out wider from April) is for the image transfer of lesions only, and not any subsequent follow-up work which may be required. Practices may take an individual view of whether they wish to comply with any prescribing requests as a result of this pilot.

We have an exciting opportunity for one GP member to attend this conference in Friend’s House, London. Some conference expenses are reimbursable so please feel free to contact info@almc.co.uk should you require more information relating to conference.

This additional conference was called for at the annual conference of England LMCs in November 2024, and its sole purpose is to discuss and debate which actions GPs must take to protect the survival of the profession.

Please email Rebecca@almc.co.uk by 14th February 2025 should you wish to attend. Priority will be given to those who have not previously attended conference.

Question: Is it the GP’s responsibility to refer housebound patients to the Sirona community nurse team for secondary care delegated phlebotomy?

Answer: This is an area the LMC is discussing with the ICB. The current community phlebotomy LES states that GPs need to make the community nurse team referral for housebound patients requiring delegated bloods. The LMC feels this is unnecessary workload transfer and we are collaborating to find solutions for this.

• 11th March 2025: Virtual LMC drop in, 13.00 – 14.00
• 31th March 2025: Membership Meeting, 19.00 – 21.00
• 6th May 2025: Virtual LMC drop in, 13.00 – 14.00
• 1st July 2025: Virtual LMC drop in, 13.00 – 14.00

Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. It’s a day for friends, families, communities and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives. Time to Talk Day is taking place 6 February 2025 and is run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, in partnership with Co-op and delivered by See Me with SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), Inspire and Time to Change Wales.

Aim with everyone to feel comfortable talking about mental health. Explore this site for ideas on how to take part in Time to Talk Day, from organising an event in your local library or hosting a lunch and learn session, to simply sharing information on social media or texting a friend.

• Tuesday 04 February General practice bulletin (mailchi.mp)
• Thursday 30 January General practice bulletin (mailchi.mp)

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– LATEST TRAINING AND EVENTS –

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• Frailty and Type 2 Diabetes – Practical Tips for Management
  4^th February from 13.00-14.00
  Signup Form
• Raring to Return – GP Refresher
  5^th February from 9.00-17.00
  Signup Form
• General Practice & Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribers Forum
  5^th February from 13.00-13.30
  Signup Form
• Getting the Best out of your Laboratory Tests: Blood and Science Session
  6^th February from 12.30-13.30
  Signup Form
• Late Career GP Group: Inspirations from Literature
  11^th February 19.00-21.00
  Signup Form
• Advanced Practice Event – The Greenway Centre
  12^th February from 9.00-12.00
  Signup Form
• The 6-8 week GP check – what to consider from a pelvic health perspective
  19^th February from 12.30-13.30
  Signup Form
• BCYP EduForum: Paediatric Cardiology
  25^th February from 13.00-13.30
  Signup Form
• General Practice & Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribers Forum
  5^th March from 13.00-13.30
  Signup here
• Personalised Care Celebration Event 2025
  6^th March from 9.30-15.30
  Signup here
• BCYP EduForum: GP Guide to Paediatric Surgery and Urology
  18^th March from 13.00-13.30
  Signup here
• Advanced Practice Event: Emersons Green
  19^th March from 9.00-12.00
  Signup here
• Blood Interpretation in Primary Care – Day 4 of 4
  20^th March from 9.15-12.30
  Signup here
• Dermoscopy Training – Part 3
  25h March from 9.00-12.30
  Signup here

Please see here for full event details.
For further information please contact Bnssg.training.hub@nhs.net

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