26th June 2024
A note from the Chair - Dr Alan Lewis
No doubt you will all be looking forward to some well earned time off over the summer. It has been a busy few months since our last newsletter.
From the federation perspective all our staff continue to work hard to support practices. There has been recruitment to replace GP nurses that have left but otherwise not much has changed. Work continues in the background via the GPP oversight board to progress and develop the GPP resource. The GPN leasing scheme is working well and we have a number of GPNs already leased to practices in our area. This allows us to continue to recruit further GPNs and to provide the necessary training they and our practice nurses need.
The MDT rollout has yet to reach our area, as we are all painfully aware. Recent discussions with colleagues in other areas and with the Northern Trust have been broadly positive but I have not heard any confirmation as yet, unfortunately. However, in preparation for MDTs, we have recently completed a survey of practices in our area and this suggests we are in a much better position than we were in 2021 when we previously completed this survey. In 2021 73% of practices could not accommodate any additional MDT staff without significant building works, however, this is now well down to only 48%. There are 3 trust owned health centres in our area and 2 of these would need significant work to increase capacity. I have already initiated meetings with Paddy Graffin, divisional director of infrastructure, and met representatives from SPPG to encourage them to prioritise a review of these buildings to plan for MDT. I have also been in touch with Rodger Kennedy, MDT programme director SPPG, to request a meeting.
On another note, I recently attended our monthly Northern Trust/ GP provider partnership meeting where the northern trust waiting lists were discussed as a single agenda meeting. This was insightful. It is obvious that the trust are taking this very seriously and already have made changes that will hopefully help to reduce the significantly long waiting lists which we are all too familiar with.
I hope you will find this newsletter useful, please take a little time to read the entries from our team and also review the attached list of services that Northern FSU offer for local practices.
I hope you all have a fantastic summer! Thanks as always
General Practice Nurses
Anne Witherow - Federation Lead Nurse
Following a recruitment campaign for both a qualified and trainee GPN, we are delighted to have filled both vacancies and look forward to welcoming the individuals to the GPN team.
It is anticipated that a small number of bursaries will be made available to general practices to enable practice-employed GPNs to undertake additional study, such as cervical screening and, if available, spirometry training. Further details will be released next month.
Federation Education
Dr John Goodrich - Secretary and Educational Lead
Recognising practice pressures and the difficulty of freeing time to attend educational meetings, we condensed our events this year into two days. The Best Practice event in September had over 40 attendees, and the Hot Topics event in May was a great success with 6 hours of teaching and 90 delegates. The handbook access to the Hot Topics online resources provides further opportunities for CPD throughout the year. Thank you for your support of these events.
Planning for the 2024/25 programme is underway. We hope to bring a multi-disciplinary element and include more of the practice team. We also aim to work with our consultant colleagues at the Trust to develop relationships across the primary care/secondary care interface and address areas of mutual benefit. Updates will be provided in due course.
If there are any topics you would like to see covered, whether related to GP, GPP, practice management, or the wider practice team, please contact FSU at info@northernfsu.co.uk, and we will consider the options.
Joanne Caldwell & Aislinn Carey - Lead General Practice Pharmacists
GPPs in Antrim/Ballymena have participated in some training events over the last few months. Highlights include:
Northern GPP Masterclass in the Tullyglass in April 2024. Topics include Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Iron Deficiency Anaemia and an update on DESMOND
Hot Topics Training on 15th May 2024 also in the Tullyglass featuring many issues relevant to General Practice such as CKD, Stroke, Obesity and Mental Health
These days provide important updates to our GPPs and take-home actions for QI projects and are also a valuable opportunity to network with other pharmacists and GPs.
We have had 2 GPPs accepted on to the Independent Prescribing Course commencing in August 2024. We wish Ciara Mooney and Diarmaid Graham all the very best with their studies
There have been several GPPs who have submitted portfolios for various courses in the last few weeks including Foundation Programme, Independent Prescribing and Advanced Practice Masters. Good luck with the results!
In the autumn we hope to be able to host Pharmacy Students in GP Practices. This is an excellent way to showcase the good work our GPPs are completing in practice and to raise the profile of the GPP role for undergraduates.
Reminder for all GPPs about the annual Recognising Achievement Awards in September 2024. If you have been undertaking QI work within practice that demonstrates Improving Medication Safety, Innovative Working or Excellence in Practice, please get thinking about your entry for this year!
GPECS
Dr Conor Gorman - Northern ECR Clinical Lead
Colleagues,
I wanted to update you regarding the current ‘state of play’ relating to GP Elective Care Services .
Most will be aware of the farce around vasectomy, with service initially being suspended then progressing to closure. Fortunately the Health Minister stepped in at the very last minute and we are now in the position of recurrent funding being approved for the vasectomy service. All future vasectomies will now be carried out within Primary Care apart from those requiring a general anaesthetic or have other complicating factors.
Due to the suspension of the service we have built up longer waiting times than we would be happy with. Staff within GPECS / FSU and our Host practices have worked tirelessly in the last few weeks to relaunch the vasectomy service. We plan to develop the service over the next month’s / years in order to achieve more acceptable waiting times.
CCG will be reopened to allow GPs to again refer patients into the service on 29th June 2024.
Absolute Exclusion Criteria
- Weight >160kg
- Implanted cardiac device or pacemaker
- Uncontrolled diabetes HBA1C > 69mmol/mol
Relative contraindications –Gpes will assess and decide if surgery is possible ]
- BMI > 35
- Previous scrotal Surgery / Hydrocele
- Immunosuppressant’s
- Severe anxiety
Our other services – Dermatology, MSK, Skin Surgery and Gynaecology remain at under 50% of their previous activity. At present there is no budget allocation to any department within Trust or Primary Care and thus we are still optimistic that recurrent funding may be allocated to these services.
I would like to express our gratitude to all our primary care colleagues who have continued to support and encourage us. In particular I would like to thank our Host practice staff and GPes’s who have stuck with us through these trying times.
NFSU HR
Cathy Christie - HR Officer
Carol Shaw - HR Administrator
As part of our HR Health & Wellbeing Calendar, we are excited to announce the following upcoming webinars and events:
3rd July 2024 (1-2 pm) –
NI Consumer Council: Know Your Travel Rights
You can register: here.
August (Date TBC) –
Suzanne Hamilton, Podiatry
27th September 2024 – Macmillan Coffee Morning
We encourage all practices to consider hosting their own coffee mornings to support Macmillan. Let's come together to make a difference!
Northern GP Federation Support Unit (NFSU)
If you have any questions, feedback or suggestions for Antrim Ballymena GP Federation please contact NFSU on info@northernfsu.co.uk.
Rachael Elliott - Project Coordinator
Accurx
We are delighted to have almost all our Emis Practices joined up to the FSU contract for AccuRx. A platform to connect and communicate to patients which has a number of modules to help support Practices. Accurx | The simple way to communicate about patient care.
NFSU hold the contract alongside Eastern, Western and Southern Federation Support Units, those who are in the contract provides practices with a large, reduced discount than purchasing this software alone.
Recordings/training
You will find the recordings of the new users and refresher training most recent AccuRx training online here –
Ebrington
You will be aware we have been in touch with Ebrington Medical to achieve economies of scale cost savings. They have established a “buying group” which Practices can avail of further discounts. Ebrington are currently uploading Practice details to their system and will be in touch the minute this is complete.
Clinical Waste
We understand the challenges by the rise and increasing costs of clinical waste disposal within GP practices in Northern Ireland. In response to concerns raised by GPs and Practice Managers, the Federation has proactively engaged in discussions to explore avenues for cost efficiencies on your behalf. The Northern Federation alongside Western, Southern, and Eastern Federations have initiated discussions with Stericycle, headquartered in Ballymena, to negotiate discounted rates for our members. Several practices across the region already partnered with Stericycle have provided positive feedback on the quality of service they've experienced. Practices can transition seamlessly once their current contracts agreements expire. The proposed pricing schedule demonstrates that as more practices join, the discounts available to all members will increase substantially. Further details are available in the attached proposal and costing schedule. The goal is to have >100 practices across the region in the contract reaching up to 25% discount overall!!
The contract will be held with the individual Practice - FSU has come together for discount purposes.
More information can be found here. If you are interested please contact Smyth, ssmyth@STERICYCLE.com
NFSU Meeting Rooms
NFSU based at Galgorm Castle has two meeting rooms FOC which can be used individually or opened to one large room. The have video conference cameras/ TVs which can be connected to laptops. We have coffee and tea making facilities and local catering companies nearby. We welcome any practice who wishes to use these rooms which are free of charge for any training/ meetings. The large room together can hold up to 24 people. If you wish to see pictures or book these, please contact info@northernfsu.co.uk
Job advertising
The Federation website can host any of your GP Practice jobs on our website to get the reach to the public. If you wish to post any of your live jobs on our website please send the details to info@northernfsu.co.uk
NORTHERN IRELAND GP Practice Management Handbook
The Practice Managers Advisory Group within Eastern FSU has been working to develop a GP Practice Management Handbook, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland!
This project was undertaken after a need was identified to have a comprehensive reference guide, specific to Northern Ireland, primarily for new practice managers. It is hoped this handbook will aid new Practice Managers (and other staff) with induction into the Primary Care setting and be a supportive resource for existing managers in their day-to-day business operations.
The document has been designed to be used as a digital document as it has live links throughout but as things frequently change in general practice this handbook will be updated on a yearly basis.
Practice Index
Bespoke, engaging courses designed specifically for GP practice staff, delivered by expert trainers.
As all Practices will be aware, the Federation have purchased a 3-year licence for each of our 69 GP Practices to have access to Practice Index Training for you & all your staff within your Practice in January 2023. You should all have received a log in by this stage to access the portal to be able to allocate mandatory training to your staff.
Accessible Information Standard
Accident and Incident Reporting
Anaphylaxis
An Introduction to Care Navigation
An Introduction to Management
Appraisals
Bullying and Harassment
Caldicott and Confidentiality
Care Navigation and Correspondence
Management Masterclass - Part One
Care Navigation and Correspondence Management Masterclass - Part Two
Change Management Masterclass
Chaperone Awareness
Complaints Management
Complaints Management (Northern Ireland)
Conflict Resolution
Consent
COSHH
CQC for All Staff
CQC Masterclass: The Perfect Practice - Module 1: Introduction
CQC Masterclass: The Perfect Practice - Module 2: Key Question (Safe)
CQC Masterclass - The Perfect Practice - Module 3 - Key Question (Effective)
CQC Masterclass - The Perfect Practice - Module 4 - Key Question (Caring)
CQC Masterclass: The Perfect Practice - Module 5: Key Question (Responsive)
CQC Masterclass: The Perfect Practice - Module 6: Key Question (Well-led)
Customer Care
Dealing with Violent and Abusive Patients
Dementia Awareness
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and Mental Capacity Act (NI) 2016
Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Domestic Violence Awareness
Duty of Candour
Effective Record-Keeping - The Essentials
Electrical Safety
ELFH - Autism Awareness ELFH - Communicating with Patients, Parents and carers
ELFH - Flu Immunisation (FLU) - Core knowledge for flu immunisers and self assessment
ELFH - Flu Immunisation (FLU) - Inactivated flu vaccines and self assessment
ELFH - Flu Immunisation (FLU) - Live Flu vVaccine and Self Assessment"
ELFH - National Immunisation Policy and Programmes and Assessment
ELFH - Vaccine administration and assessment
ELFH - Vaccine Storage and Assessment
Equality and Diversity
Equality and Diversity (NI)
Excel basics for Practice Managers
Fire Safety
Fire Warden Training
Fraud Awareness
GDPR - The Perfect Practice
GP Practice Management (Masterclass) - Module 1
GP Practice Management (Masterclass) - Module 2
GP Practice Management (Masterclass) - Module 3
GP Practice Management (Masterclass) - Module 4
GP Practice Management (Masterclass) - Module 5
GP Practice Management (Masterclass) - Module 6
Having Difficult Conversations
Health and Safety: Office, Electrical and Fire Safety
Health, Safety and Welfare
How to Reduce Did Not Attends (DNAs)
HR Masterclass - Module 1 (Recruitment)
HR Masterclass - Module 2 (Performance Management)
HR Masterclass - Module 3 (Disciplinaries)
HR Masterclass - Module 4 (Appraisals & objective setting)
HR Masterclass - Module 5 (Managing short-term sickness absence)
HR Masterclass - Module 6 (Managing Long Term Absence) Induction
Infection Prevention and Control: Tier 1 - Non-clinical Staff
Infection Prevention and Control: Tier 2 - Clinical Staff
Information Governance and Data Security
Information Governance and Data Security (Northern Ireland)
Leadership Styles and Approaches
Learning Disabilities Awareness
Legionella Awareness
Lone Working
Maintaining the Cold Chain
Managing Change
Managing Others
Managing Yourself
Mental Capacity Act and DoLS
Mental Health in the Workplace
Moving and Handling Level 1 (All staff)
Moving and Handling Level 2 (Clinical staff)
#MyGPandMe: Making your practice inclusive for people with learning disabilities and autism
Office Safety Practice Marketing Checklist
Preparing for a Pandemic
Preventing Radicalisation - Basic Prevent Awareness Privacy and Dignity
Receptionists in General Practice Masterclass - Module 1
Receptionists in General Practice Masterclass - Module 2
Receptionists in General Practice Masterclass- Module 3
Receptionists in General Practice Masterclass - Module 4
Resuscitation - Adult Basic Life Support Resuscitation - Paediatric Basic Life Support
Risk Assessments Risk Assessments including COSHH
Safeguarding Adults (Level 1)
Safeguarding Adults (Level 2)
Safeguarding Adults (Level 3)
Safeguarding Children (Level 1)
Safeguarding Children (Level 2)
Safeguarding Children (Level 3)
Sepsis
Transgender Awareness
UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Understanding how General Practice Works
Understanding how General Practice Works (Northern Ireland)
Understanding Integrated Care Systems Understanding Personally Administered Items (PPA Claims) Whistleblowing
Working at Height
Your practice on social media - A beginner's guide
If you can’t find what you are looking for? – they will create it for you!
Contact us
As always if you have any questions for the FSU, please do not hesitate to contact the Federation Support Unit on info@northernfsu.co.uk or 02896208333
Follow the Federation on: