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In this Bulletin:
- Flu Update
- Accessing DHSC Centrally Supplied Flu Vaccines
- Demand for a Flu Vaccine
- Flu Information for the Public
- COVID-19 Update
- Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV)
- Shielded Patients – Adults
- Children and Young People (CYP)
- Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV)
- New NHSE Webpage for GP Update
- New CQRS Local
Accessing DHSC Centrally Supplied Flu Vaccines
The Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed when and how GP Practices will be able to access additional flu vaccines when local stock levels have been exhausted. The extra vaccines are due to arrive from November and Practices will be able to order from 4 different suppliers, for each cohort, to ensure that there are sufficient vaccine supplies to cover the extension to the flu programme.
Details of how to order DHSC stock is available, along with timescales and minimum and maximum order quantities. Information is also included about claiming fees for DHSC stock and Post Payment Verification (PPV). GP Practices will be provided the DHSC vaccines free of charge, but will only be able to claim a £10.06 Item of Service (IoS) fee for each vaccination recorded on the clinical system and extracted via GPES for payment.
Demand for a Flu Vaccine
Public Health England has also updated its guidance this week regarding flu vaccines and supply for the national flu programme which highlights, “People shouldn’t feel they have to rush out and get vaccinated in September or October, as the vaccination programme continues right up until and into the flu season, which doesn’t normally start until December. There will however be enough flu vaccines for everyone who is eligible”, and that “People in this (50 to 64) age group should therefore wait until later in the year when they are advised by their GP practices or pharmacy.”
Flu Information for the Public
PHE published information last week for the public about flu vaccination supplies and why some people may need to wait for their flu jab, along with a leaflet to be shared with the public.
This information was also shared in our Facebook group QCS General Practice Discussion Group as soon as it was released last week, so please request to join the group if you haven’t already done so for all the latest news, updates and topical discussions.
Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV)
Shielded Patients – Adults
The Government has issued guidance for everyone identified as clinically extremely vulnerable, i.e. those who previously received a letter from the NHS and were advised to shield. In the future, the government will only reintroduce formal shielding advice in the very worst affected local areas and for a limited period of time. People will only be informed in writing if they are advised to shield again and advised to refer to the latest local COVID alert level for their area.
Practices should start considering now how they will support CEV Patients again in the event that any further shielding is recommended.
Children and Young People (CYP)
Practices should:
- Review remaining Patients under the age of 18 on the Shielded Patient List (SPL)
- Make contact with the family to review whether they should still be considered clinically extremely vulnerable (according to guidance from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH))
- Adjust the flag in the Patient record, marking them as a “moderate” or “low” category for developing complications from coronavirus disease
Further information for GPs on the SPL is available from NHS Digital.
New NHSE Webpage for GP Updates
NHSE has a new webpage which provides the latest information for General Practice with key activities and links for easy reference.
New CQRS Local
From April 2021, CCGs will be able to manage payments using a new CQRS Local system. It should do a number of things, including:
- Make it easier to understand what payments have been made against claims submitted
- Reduce the risk of inaccurate claims
Training and configuration will begin early next year in readiness for the system being made available to General Practice by 31 March. For more information, you can register for one of the 1-hour engagement events, although dates are getting filled up quickly.