Avon LMCs Newsletter on 15-05-24

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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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I have been contacted by many practices recently over the rise in patient complaints which is challenging for multiple reasons.

A simple google search with the keywords “How to complain about a GP” will now highlight a myriad of ways including the ICB, NHS England, Healthwatch, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and the GMC. In addition to these formal routes, patients may also share feedback on social media or google reviews.

The digital revolution has also leaked into on-line submissions for patient complaints, which is likely to have reduced the threshold for the effort required to complete these.

The CQC mythbuster on complaints management offers practices useful tips on the essential requirements for this process, and it is important to share that although a complaints process should be publicised on a practice website, it is not mandatory to create an on-line platform for this.

The MDU has written a useful article on complaints responses as well developing some e-learning for members.

Avon LMC is here for you to navigate the emotional and practical elements of being on the receiving end of a complaint, so please reach out to us on info@almc.co.uk, rather than bottling it up.

Dr Shaba Nabi
Chair Avon LMC

Save this date for a virtual, interactive roadshow with the Chair of GPC England if you wish to hear about next steps for the profession. This is open to any professionals wishing to represent their practice.

Another date for your calendar – join us for this lunchtime webinar hosted by senior members of the CQC team. More details with sign-up forms with learning needs request to follow.

Avon LMC has reviewed this document and is happy to endorse this as DPO.

Question: We are receiving requests from the smoking cessation clinic asking us to continue medication for patients, but we are not funded to provide this service. What should we do?

Answer: I can see that you are a GP in Bristol where smoking cessation services are provided by Everyone Health. The Remedy page outlines the criteria which have to be met prior to referral and the duration of treatment is up to 28 days. If a patient requires a longer duration of treatment, this has to be self-funded.

To mark the start of mental health awareness week, Avon LMC would like to remind you of some of the resources available for GPs:

BMA counselling – you do not have to be a BMA member 

Avon LMC COPE scheme

Practitioner Health

Representatives of Avon LMC will be attending the annual UK LMC Conference which will take place in Newport on 23^rd and 24^th May. The full agenda can be found here but we have summarised this to the motions only prioritised for debate. Avon LMC has contributed to motion 22 on premises, and Nafeesa Arshad, the premises lead for Avon LMC, has submitted speaker slip in support of this motion.
 
If you have strong views about any of these motions, please let us know by emailing info@almc.co.uk so these can be represented at conference.

Episode Two of the BNSSG Good News show is out now, watch here on YouTube: BNSSG Good News Episode 2 (youtube.com)
 
Or find it on our website BNSSG Good News – BNSSG Training Hub
 
BNSSG Good News showcases amazing projects and initiatives going on in Primary Care in our area. In today’s episode, Shital Godbole, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion GP Fellow, is spotlighting the careers of some of our local Primary Care nurses, including celebrating Kerri Magnus’ achievement of the Queen’s Nurse award.

• Thursday 9 May General practice bulletin (mailchi.mp)
• Tuesday 14 May General practice bulletin (mailchi.mp)

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– LATEST TRAINING AND EVENTS –

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Organised by Lily Dixon (First Contact Practitioner Education Lead) and BNSSG Training Hub, this FREE, online training will provide a talk from Alison Tavaré (GP and Primary Care Clinical Lead at Health Innovation West of England).

This session will help you to:

• Understand more about NEWS2 (National Early Warning Score)
• Understand how NEWS2 can support you in your clinical practice
• Understand how NEWS2 can improve communication with colleagues in other settings
• Learn about the evidence for the use of NEWS2 in non acute settings
• Opportunity to learn from practical case studies

• 4th June 2024 13:00 – 14:00
• For all Primary Care clinicians in the South West
• Microsoft Teams 

To register please click on the flyer here.

Organised by Lily Dixon (First Contact Practitioner Education Lead) and Kerri Magnus (Education & Development Lead) at the BNSSG Training Hub, this FREE, online training will provide a talk from Paul Sankey (Solicitor specialising in Clinical Negligence).

This event will cover:

• How to manage complaints and avoid litigation
• Explain the law of what constitutes a breach of duty by medical professionals and when it can be shown to cause harm, so as to found a claim
• The importance of clear and effective documentation

• 6th June 2024 13:00 – 14:00
• For all Primary Care clinicians 
• Microsoft Teams 

To register please click on the flyer here.

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