Chair update
I have lived in the Borough since childhood and been a GP in Barnet since 2009, becoming a partner at Oakleigh in 2016. I had a brief stint working as a GP in Australia, and the thing I missed most was the colleague relationships I have built in Barnet, and I am delighted to be back in the Borough. I love my local community, and I want to ensure the needs of Barnets residents have a constructive and persuasive voice in NCL ICB.
At a time when General Practice is under increased financial pressure, with an exhausted workforce and the possibility of Industrial Action, it is not an easy time to move our focus outside our practices. The targets and “hoop jumping” can seem overwhelming, with the PCN DES, IIF, LTC LCS and practice QOF and PQS to name a few. Our voice within the Integrated System has also become more diluted and less Borough-focused since the move away from CCGs, and it can leave us feeling disenfranchised.
The Federation is here to support its members, and to escalate concerns and feedback to the wider system on your behalf. We are fortunate in Barnet to have 2 fantastic forums for this- a practice managers learning group weekly on a Tuesday, and our GP Cabinet- a weekly meeting with PCN CDs, Federation, LMC and our local team. These forums are a platform where we can form a collective voice on behalf of our member practices. Please reach out directly to me, Ross, or any of the board directors if you’d like to discuss and escalate the issues you are facing.
Finally, I just want to thank the Federation staff and team for their continued hard work and commitment during a challenging year of restructure and uncertainty. We are lucky to have retained such a capable team who will continue to support our services like SMI and phlebotomy reporting, services such as the bridging service and anticoagulation and host the contracts of more than 67 PCN staff.
Anjali Gibbs
Federation Chair
Headlines
Bridging Service
Appointments specifically for Children and Young People are now available at weekends, accessible via 111. Utilisation has been very good, in line with the Bridging Service as a whole.
Practice Support GP Sessions
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: https://forms.office.com/e/R29sdbY7KM. Kindly request one 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: 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.
Support for our Practices
NCL GP Assistant Training Programme 2024
Aims & Objectives
The aim of this programme is to provide a consistent approach to developing skills focussed on the administrative
role for the General Practice Assistant across NCL, led by GP facilitators from across NCL.
Workload reduction
As part of the wider team, General Practice Assistants provide a support role, carrying out administrative tasks
focusing on supporting General Practitioners in their day-to-day management of patients. The role is specifically
aimed at streamlining document workflow, standardising coding, ensuring prompt and appropriate onward actions,
and signposting these to appropriate team members with the aim of reducing the administrative burden of GPs to
maximise GP consultation time and support the management of vulnerable patients with often higher administrative
clinical workload.
Releasing time for patients
Evidence suggests that effective adoption of this role has the potential to:
• improve patient access and release highly qualified staff to concentrate on treating and managing patients
with more complex conditions – HEE GPA Working Group Report 2018
• improve patient flow within surgery hours, increasing the time efficiency of appointments, and reduction of
waiting times, supporting patient experience – University of Cumbria 2017
• reduce time spent by GPs on managing correspondence by up to 85% – Surrey Heath Community Providers
Workforce resilience, development, and staff retention
The aim is to develop our primary care non-clinical work force, enable career progression, staff retention and
resilience.
Evidence shows that GP assistants have a positive impact on GP retention and job satisfaction.
The Programme enables five of the ten High Impact actions to be met- GP forward View, 2016 pg 52: Personal
Productivity, Develop the Team, Productive Workflows, active signposting and Development of QI expertise.
The NCL Training Hubs General Practice Assistant Programme
• Fully funded programme run over 8 sessions involving:
• Introduction to the programme for GP Assistant trainees and GP mentors and Practice Managers
• Medical Terminology training sessions (basic and advanced)
• Half day (3 hour) remote sessions involving large group learning & small group discussions putting learning
into practice.
• Focussed on document management and workflow optimisation for the practice and teams
• Between sessions, learners will be expected to carry out workplace-based learning and supervision from a
GP mentor.
• As part of the course, the trainees will be expected to carry out a work-place based Quality Improvement
project based around the course content
GP assistants will be trained to
- • Sort and prioritise clinical post
- • Extract and code relevant information from clinical letters• Arrange appointments, referrals and follow up appointments of patients.
• Complete basic (non-opinion) forms for the GP to approve and sign, such as insurance forms and mortgage forms. - • Help the GP liaise with outside agencies, for example, arranging for on call doctors to provide advice on the phone,
or to arrange admission, allowing the GP to continue with their consultation(s)
• Support the GP practice team with population health monitoring.
Requirements for the course
• MS Teams – NHS Login is most effective
• Working Camera and Mic to join in each session – it is an interactive and collaborative course
• Mentor – to support and engage with GP Asst as they complete the course to support the course content and
embed them in their new role – this is usually a GP but can be anyone that will support and assist the trainee in their
learning
Who is it for
• Admin and Reception team
• Those who have been in practice at least 6 month
Bookings
To book a place for one of your reception/admin team.
Please contact Emily on: barnet.cepnadmin@nhs.net
Pan Barnet Event
Thank you to all those that came and participated in our Face to Face Pan Barnet event at StoneX stadium on the 18.4.24. It was an absolute pleasure to see so many of you. We really value and appreciate you making the time and effort to attend and participate. The speakers have fed back that they have already received positive engagement from many and wanted to thank you again for your time.
We had over 100 attendees from across the borough and a wonderful diversity of professions.
The feedback received has been incredibly constructive and will help us develop our online and face to face events going forward.
Our next Pan Barnet event is on Wednesday 8th May 1300 – 1400 with the topic ‘Dementia’ plus our regular local service updates. We look forward to seeing you online.
For all Training Hub events and training opportunities, please visit: https://www.ncltraininghub.org/events
For further practice support, training information and research updates please see below
Anisha Sodha – anishasodha@nhs.net
Compassionate leadership in healthcare & Well-being initiatives for Practice Managers with Dr Rasha Gadelrab and Barnet Training Hub
Hello Barnet Practice Managers and your management teams,
We are thrilled to invite Dr Rasha Gadelrab back to talk to us about Compassionate Leadership in Healthcare & Well-being initiatives.
This is aimed at Practice managers and your support team.
- Join us Thursday 16th May @ 1430-1600 for an interactive and engaging session.
- It will be focussed upon:-
- a good induction,
- wellbeing initiatives – not just about QOF
- your wellbeing
- empathy and other ways to encourage retention.
- Quality Improvement
- Practical tips and sharing practice
Bring your mics and cameras please
Barnet.cepnadmin@nhs.net
Events
Following on from our Part 1 on coaching delivered in March we have our Part 2 on 21st May 1300-1400
We look forward to seeing all our educators and supervisors from across professions to focus on Part 2 of Introduction to Coaching.
It will include
- · a recap on part 1
- · TGROW Model
· Practice and consolidation of coaching skills.
For more information on our Interprofessional education and peer
support sessions please contact Dr Rakhee Shah or Emily
Rakheeshah@nhs.net or barnet.cepnadmin@nhs.net
Barnet Pharmacy Education Session on Smoking Cessation presented by Barnet Stop Smoking Service and Barnet Training Hub
Barnet Training Hub is pleased to invite you to the first session of our 2024/25 pharmacy workforce monthly virtual educational programme.
This session will take place on Wednesday 15 May 2024, 1-2pm on MS Teams and will focus on Smoking Cessation, delivered by Nicky Coote (Specialist Smoking Cessation Practitioner & Service Manager, Barnet Stop Smoking Service).
If there are any particular questions or areas that you would like covered in the session please email these to w.meyer@nhs.net in advance.
These sessions are intended for all members of the pharmacy workforce so we would encourage pharmacy technicians, trainee pharmacy technicians, trainee pharmacists, community pharmacists and PCN/practice pharmacists to attend. We have also extended this invite to our Nursing Workforce as well – please do share with your nursing colleagues.
All attendees are encouraged to bring along cases or queries for discussion. This will be an interactive session so please have your cameras turned on.
Please seek permission from your manager before attending. The session will be recorded so that anyone unable to attend on the day is able to watch the talk at a later date.
**Please note that by joining the session, you are giving your consent to be recorded**
Year 4 Medical Student Teaching – Clinical Facilitators needed for 2024-2025
As many of you know we are in a Partnership with UCL Medical School delivering training to their Year 4 & 6 students. The main purpose is to support better understanding of Medicine in the community for the students, promote primary care and developing their communication and clinical skill that are common in Primary and Community care.
The Year 4 teaching takes place 6 times across the year for a full day in Mill Hill and is focussed on role play, communication and clinical skills and includes a team of volunteer patients.
If you are interested in facilitating these teaching sessions, we are looking for more clinical professionals to support the sessions especially Nurses and Pharmacists who are keen to develop their educational and facilitation skills.
The dates are:- Friday 11th October, 15th November, 31st January, 28th February, 9th May and 6th June.
You can sign up to facilitate one or more, all materials are provided and there is remuneration for the facilitation.
We have two sessions left for this academic year if you want to pop along and see them in action!!
If you would like to know more please reach out to Dr Jo Yong or Dr Rakhee Shah who lead the sessions and are happy to discuss
Joanna.yong@nhs.net or rakheeshah@nhs.net
Haringey – Tongue Tie Awareness Education Session
Dates and times:
- Tuesday 23 April, 09:30 – 12:30
- Monday 14 October, 09:30 – 12:30
Audience: Clinical professionals in Haringey e.g. health visitors, nurses, midwives (also open to others who are interested)
Location: The Triangle Centre, South Tottenham, N15 6NU
Morris House Group Practice with the support of Haringey Council are organising 2 educational half days 23rd of April 2024 and 14th of October 2024), at the Triangle centre, to talk about tongue ties and to raise awareness around the condition and its treatment. More information can be found in the event leaflet.
To book your place please email
morrishouse.minorsurgery@nhs.net
NCL Training Hub
www.ncltraininghub.org
Barnet Educators Learning & Peer Support Webinars & Case Study Sessions
Do you support, train or supervise learners at work?
Are you responsible for their educational and professional development?
Then join this series of lunchtime session for up-to-date interactive sessions covering the following topics:-
(Open to all clinical and non-clinical staff)
Session 7 – Introduction to Coaching Part 1 19th March
1300-1400
Session 8– Introduction to Coaching Part 2 21st May
Session 9 – Introduction to Leadership 23rd July
Session 10– Celebrating Diversity & Challenging Discrimination 20th August
Every other month starting in April 2024 – a focused session
on case studies, shared practice, reflective practice led by
our leads across disciplines.1300-1400
23rd April
25th June
20th August
Join the Barnet Educators Peer support what apps group – https://chat.whatsapp.com/G9kO4QVRy5zDRbqV0h7KS
Testing to Check The New CSMS User Readiness Now Available
The new NHS Cervical Screening Management System (CSMS) can test their access ahead of the official system go-live.
It is important to note that this check is solely for testing access only and is not the official launch of the new CSMS. Users should continue to use the current Open Exeter system to support the NHS Cervical Screening Programme until the point of
transition to the new CSMS for cervical screening call/recall.
We encourage all users to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure a smooth transition and to address any potential access issues proactively.
The actions needed to be taken before the new CSMS goes live are outlined here.
Please forward this message to all relevant users of the new CSMS.
Instructions for Testing CSMS User Readiness:
Please note: These checks are for testing access to the new CSMS only.
Check access by clicking the following link: https://cervicalscreening.nhs.uk
Guidance to help you complete your access check: Cervical Screening Management System access check – NHS Digital
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to this important Programme.
Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please contact the CSMS Implementation Team at screening.implementation@nhs.net
Research
New studies
PETRA
Aim: To compare active pregabalin with an identical placebo as means of investigating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of pregabalin.
Benefits: Remuneration of £200 + additional research costs
Practice involvement: Database search & mail-out (Can be coordinated remotely by BRN coordinators)
INDIGO Community (Opening May 2024)
Aim: An observational study aiming to investigate patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) for patients living with or beyond a diagnosis of cancer.
Benefits: Remuneration of £200
Practice involvement: Database search & invitation of patients via iPlato (Can be coordinated remotely by BRN coordinators)
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.
Duration-UTI
Aim: To investigate the shortest duration of antibiotic treatment required to treat UTIs in women effectively.
Benefits: Remuneration upwards of £2100 depending on meeting recruitment target of 20 patients
Practice involvement: Online SIV, opportunistic recruitment of patients with UTI (depending on the practice’s UTI treatment pathway), consenting and case report form completion – CRN research nurse support available to practices
For expressions of interest, please contact the Barnet Research Network on nclicb.barnetresearchnetwork@nhs.net or narendra.samarasekara@nhs.net