Chair Update
Dear Members, Colleagues & Patients,
I hope you have all managed get some time to relax and recuperate at home or away over the summer.
At the Fed we are busy going through our restructure process as we transition into a smaller organisation, providing a narrower range of services whilst continuing to support our practices, PCNs and the Cabinet. Once we have appointed to the new posts I hope to be able to introduce you to our new look team.
I am pleased to say that last week NCL ICB confirmed its intention to extend the contract for the ‘bridging service’ until 2024. This is the service we provide in the borough that covers those extended hours not covered by the Enhanced Access element of the PCN DES (weekends and bank holidays 8 to 8). This gives both us and our patients some welcome certainty in the months ahead.
I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you to that, if you haven’t already done so, you are now able to register with NCL Connect, the flexible staffing pool which is operated collaboratively by all NCL GP Federations. We have created and manage a digital platform for Locums to register, view and apply for opportunities posted by local primary care providers. The platform will allow fully registered and compliant locums to list their availability, together with a matching service for practices and PCNs where they can advertise new opportunities. If you are a GP Practice or PCN in NCL looking for locums to support your teams, you can start the application to join the service by clicking on the Link below and registering your interest.
https://forms.gle/TwHbtFp3KLXebhfH9
Lastly, please can you ‘save the date’ for our Annual General Meeting (AGM) which will take place on:
Date: Wednesday 4th October at 1-2pm
Venue: Stone X stadium TBC
This will form part of the general Pan Barnet Event taking place with Barnet Training Hub
For those shareholders unable to attend in person on the day, we will circulate a form nearer the time in order for you to give your proxy vote to a colleague from your practice so that they can vote on your behalf.
It just remains for me to wish you an enjoyable end to the summer and I look forward to seeing you at our AGM.
Best wishes,
Ahmer Farooqi (Federation Chair)
Headlines
PCN EA Update
- The Federation is providing some sub-contracted activity to PCNs 1D and 6.
- Reporting on available slots has been implemented on EA subcontracted activity and the information is being shared three times per week with PCN colleagues.
111, Sunday & Bank Holiday (Bridging) Service
- Provide over 1,000 additional appointments across the junior doctor strike days in June and July. These were available through NHS 111 and the call centre.
- Utilisation remains high, at over 90%.
- For more information, please see the practice support section below.
Practice Support GP Sessions
- The Federation has provided 57 hours of GP time to support practice in July, which we expect to further increase in August.
- For more information, please see the practice support section below.
BFG Recruiting for Sub-contract Services
- We are actively recruiting all types of clinicians and health professionals to work in our sub-contract services
- We provide competitive rates of pay and offer a varied selection of weekday, evening, and weekend shifts
- Opportunities exist for home working in some circumstances
- Please contact barnet.federation@nhs.net if you would like to know more
BFG Recruiting
BFG is currently recruiting for a General Manager. If you are interested in the role, please apply via the NHS Jobs, link below. Or if you would like an informal chat arranged, please email barnet.federation@nhs.net.
https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/U0003-23-0015
Dates for your diary
Pan Barnet Event
Wednesday 6th September at 1pm – Medicines Management Update & PQS & the BRCA Genetic Testing Rollout
Click here to join the meeting
Federation Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Wednesday 4th October at 1pm-2pm
Venue: Stone X stadium TBC
For further practice support, training information and research updates please see below
Support For Our Practices
Our vacancy board – Do you have a vacancy or looking for a role in Barnet?
Advertising job opportunities via the Federation website!
Practices and professionals seeking job opportunities in Barnet can advertise through our website on our Pan Barnet Noticeboard: https://barnetfederatedgps.org.uk/pan-barnet-recruitment
111, Sunday & Bank Holiday (Bridging) Service
- Provide over 1,000 additional appointments across the junior doctor strike days in June and July. These were available through NHS 111 and the call centre.
- Utilisation remains high, at over 90%.
- Capacity is in place for the August bank holiday, with face-to-face provision at Oak Lodge Medical Centre and the service running 08.00-20.00.
Practice Support GP Sessions
- The Federation has provided 57 hours of GP time to support practice in July, which we expect to further increase in August. Please see details below.
Barnet Federated GPs are offering to provide additional in-hours and extra Enhanced Access GP sessions to any of our member practices that may wish to take up this offer. This offer is made to all our member practices, as part of our core values of supporting all practices equally.
Please use the online request form at the following link to make a request. Kindly request 1 session at a time. When you click submit, you will be given the option to submit another form. This is to ensure that all requests are managed as effectively as possible.
https://forms.office.com/e/R29sdbY7KM
If requested, we will endeavour to fill sessions within practice hours, but may also offer support during EA hours (18.30-21.00) as an alternative if we are not able to fill the sessions in hours.
The sessions run as follows:
- Sessions are telephone and video consultations only, with GPs working remotely.
- Sessions are created in EMIS Community and booked into using the same process as for Federation EA appointments (though the slots will be reserved only for the individual practice requesting the session).
- A discharge summary for each patient is sent to the practice.
- Appointments are 15mins, similar to EAS sessions.
- Federation administrators will provide support to the GP during the session.
The total cost is £115.00/hour – this covers the cost of the GP time, as well as the administration and governance costs associated with putting on the sessions, as we provide a full service similar to the Enhanced Access/111, Sunday, & Bank Holiday service.
This is subject to us successfully sourcing GPs to fill the sessions and all the sessions are conducted remotely. We would of course, only charge for the sessions that were successfully provided.
If you request a session but later find that the session will no longer be required, you must notify the Federation with at least 48 hours’ notice prior to the start of the session. If we do not receive this notification, we may still charge you for the session, as we will be required to pay the GP for their time.
For any queries, please email barnetfederatedgps.services@nhs.net.
Training Information and Opportunities
For all Training Hub events and training opportunities, please visit: https://www.ncltraininghub.org/events
NCL Training Hub Awards 2023 Nominations for Barnet Training Hub & Practice Managers Learning Groups
We are thrilled to say there were 3 nominations for Barnet Training Hub and Barnet Primary Care in the recent NCL Training Hub Value Awards:-
Under the category Education we have:
- Prescribing Clerk Programme Team
- Kyra Rowlatt and her team – Leading education needs of Non Clinical Teams
And for inclusivity:
Practice Managers Learning Group.
We couldn’t be more proud of our nominations and we look forward to celebrating with all the nominees at the celebration event on the 27th September.
For further information, please email: Barnet.cepnadmin@nhs.net
Fellowships Celebration Event & onboarding of new fellows
The Fellowships team in the NCL Training Hub are currently recruiting newly qualified GP fellows to start in October 2023. For more information about our offer, visit the website here NCL Training Hub SPIN or contact the team if you’d like to apply.
We are also hosting a Fellowships Celebration Event on Wednesday 4th October 2023!
If you’re interested in joining the GP Fellowships programme or finding out more about what we do, come along to the event to hear from past fellows, as well as getting the opportunity to network with other GPs.
The event will take place from 2.30-4.30pm at: The Green Rooms, 13-17 Station Road, Haringey, N22 6UW
Followed by a social event in the bar downstairs afterwards.
Please fill in the expression of interest form if you’d like to attend: Expression of interest form
If you have any questions or queries, please email: Emily.yuki@nhs.net OR Nclicb.thgeneralpracticefellowships@nhs.net
Barnet Training Hub has 3 new opportunities
Barnet Training Hub have 3 new roles (below):
- EOI for PCN Education and MDT role – EoI for PCN Education and MDT role 2023
- Digitial Transformation Lead – JD for Digital Transformation Lead role
- Mental Health Lead – JD for Mental Health Lead role
Please take a look at the job descriptions if of interest to you. If you do have any questions about the roles – Mandy Claret is more than happy to help.
All 3 roles close on the 1st September 2023
For the PCN Education and MDT role – one EOL application form per PCN should be completed and sent in by the 1st September 2023. As Expressions of interest are being sought for each PCN. Funding for this role is only secured for the current year, therefore, if an application is not received from a PCN, collective funding can be increased to other PCNs who successfully apply.
If you are interested in the Digital Transformation Lead or the mental health lead role please For those interested in the roles they should send a cover letter and CV to Mandy Claret – barnet.cepn@nhs.net
Should you have any questions or queries, please contact Emily on Barnet.cepnadmin@nhs.net
Learning Disability Annual Health Checks webinar
Date and time: Tuesday 12th September, 13:00 – 14:30
Audience: Clinicians in primary care
NHSE invite healthcare professionals to this webinar where they will gain valuable insights into various aspects of Learning Disability Annual Health Checks, including:
- integration with specific healthcare pathways
- successful initiatives to boost uptake
- the significance of structured medication reviews in enhancing the process
Book now: https://www.events.england.nhs.uk/events/learning-disability-annual-health-checks-webinar
Doing things differently: Applying Behavioural Insights to Improve Cardiovascular Health
Date and time: Tuesday 19th September, 13:30 – 14:30
Audience: Anyone in primary care involved in the management of Long-Term Conditions
In this session, UCLPartners will review relevant behaviour change theory and evidence and explore practical ways that we can apply these behavioural insights to help patients improve Cardiovascular health.
Book now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/doing-things-differently-behavioural-insights-tickets-699530242787?aff=oddtdtcreator
Research
Research Studies for Barnet GP Practices
Current studies
STATIC
Aim: To investigate if withdrawal of aminosalicylate therapy is not unacceptably less effective than continuing on therapy in maintaining Crohn’s Disease
Benefits: Remuneration of at least £200 + additional per patient costs, support from British Society of Gastroenterology + local IBD team
Practice involvement: Signing practice docs, brief site training, patient eligibility screening
DISCOVER ME (Commercial Study)
Aim: To create a dynamic resource of demographic, health and genetic data to enable analyses to understand clinical disease progression in primary care and risk prediction.
Benefits: Remuneration of approx. £2700 for participation and recruitment of 500 pts with added incentives
Practice involvement: Activating data sharing agreement signing, patient screening and sending of recruitment text messages
OPTIMISE2
Aim: To establish whether deprescribing common drugs that lower blood pressure is safe or effective in older people in the longer term (a year or more).
Benefits: Remuneration of approx. £1145 (intervention arm) or £905 (control arm)
Practice involvement: Online SIV, Database search & mail out for 10-15 pts, Baseline visit screening (30 mins per pt), CRN nurse support provided.
For expressions of interest, please contact the Barnet Research Network on nclicb.barnetresearchnetwork@nhs.net or narendra.samarasekara@nhs.net