Out of hours (OOH) primary care services

Source: Department of Health

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Year of publication: October 2009

Publication type: Letter

In a nutshell: A letter from David Colin-Thome, National Director for Primary Care, to primary care trusts in relation to the Care Quality Commission independent enquiry into provision of out-of-hours GP services. This letter reiterates that PCTs have a legal obligation to make sure out of hours services are delivered safely and to a high standard.

Length of publication: 2 pages

Enquiry indicates nationwide gap in monitoring out-of-hours GP services

Source: Care Quality Commission

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Date of publication: October 2009

Publication type: Press Release 

In a nutshell: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) enquiry into the out-of-hours care provided by Take Care Now, reports that it fears PCTs may not be effectively monitoring performance of GP out-of-hours services.  The enquiry was triggered by the tragic case of Mr David Gray, a patient treated by an out-of-hours locum doctor from Germany who died following the administration of 100mg of diamorphine.

Following visits to the five PCTs that commission services from Take Care Now, the CQC found that trusts do not consistently and routinely look in detail at the quality of care.  PCTs must look at details like the quality of clinical decisions, the efficiency of call handling, the adequacy of staffing and doctors’ training in order to rigorously monitor performance.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Swine flu clinical package

Source: Department of Health

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Date of publication: October 2009

Publication type: Best Practice

In a nutshell: The swine flu clinical package is a set of tools for use by frontline healthcare professionals, in severe and exceptional circumstances, during a pandemic situation. The tools in the package are designed to support and empower GPs, community nurses, midwives, health visitors, ambulance crews, emergency department doctors, nurses and those working outside their usual specialty area (e.g. junior doctors or surgeons working in influenza cohort wards). The package will assist these health care professionals to assess patients, authorise antiviral medicines, refer those with severe illness or complications, and guide timely management of patients in hospital.

Length of publication: 15 pages

Some important notes: These tools and pathways are for use only when high surge demand leads to the need for strict hospital admission triage in affected areas. They should not be used when emergency departments and acute admissions units are working with their usual establishment of trained staff, and can operate their usual daily decision pathways, including providing hospital beds for every person fulfilling normal criteria for admission.

The tools are not intended for the assessment of patients routinely presenting for the diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated influenza at an emergency department. These patients should be directed to use the National Pandemic Flu Service, or to contact a primary care surgery or clinic.

Same day health centre soon to open in Fleetwood

Source: NHS North Lancashire

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Date of publication: September 2009

Publication type: Press Release

In a nutshell: Local GPs and staff at NHS North Lancashire are preparing for the opening of new medical services in Fleetwood. The same day health centre will be based at Fleetwood Hospital and will provide healthcare for patients with a new or recent injury or illness. The centre is being provided by Coastal Health Care on behalf of NHS North Lancashire. The same day health centre will provide healthcare services for residents of Fleetwood and surrounding areas from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It will offer treatment for minor illness and injuries with a GP or nurse.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Primary Care Foundation urgent care conference report

Source: Primary Care Foundation

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Year of publication: June 2009

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell:  Kaye McIntosh reports from the Primary Care Foundation seminar entitled “Urgent care: a practical guide to transforming same-day care in general practice”

Length of publication: 6 pages

Some important notes: The seminar was based on the Primary Care Foundation report of the same name – follow this link to view the report.  Presentations are also available from the seminar – follow this link to view presentations

GP and A&E survey

Source: Primary Care Foundation

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Year of publication: August 2009

Publication type: Website

In a nutshell: The Primary Care Foundation is carrying out a study of the use of primary care clinicians within or alongside Emergency Departments (A&E). The aim is to understand the range of different models and report on the various elements that need to be in place for such initiatives to operate safely and successfully. To achieve this they are asking all Emergency Departments, commissioners and the primary care provider organisations in England to complete a questionnaire.

Length of publication: 1 web page, with links to survey

Some important notes: Follow the links from the web page to view the Survey Instructions; Summary of Project; Best Practice; and Reference Group

Out-of-hours care in western countries: assessment of different organizational models

Source: BMC Health Services Research 2009, 9:105

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Date of publication: June 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Internationally, different organizational models are used for providing out-of-hours care. This study used a survey across 25 countries to assess prevailing models and identify their potential strengths and weaknesses.   In most countries several different models existed alongside each other, including Accident & Emergency, rota groups and GP cooperatives.  The perceived strengths and weaknesses of these models are discussed.  GP cooperatives combine size of scale advantages with high accessibility, continuity and coordination of care. While specific patients require other organizational models, the co-existence of different models for out-of-hours care in a country may be less efficient for health systems.

Length of publication: 21 pages

Urgent care: a practical guide to transforming same-day care in general practice

Source: Primary Care Foundation

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Date of publication: May 2009

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell:  This report describes the work of GPs across five very different PCTs, outlining key lessons for improving urgent care.  The report and recommendations are designed to suppport all organisations delivering general practice services including GMS, PMS, PCTMS, APMS and the new GP led health centres.  This report is sponsored by the Department of Health, and supported by the Royal College of General Practitioners and the British Medical Association.

Length of publication: 36 pages

Some important notes: An event is being held at the King’s Fund on 25 June 2009 to highlight the key findings and recommendations of this report.  Follow this link for full details.

Guidance and competences for the provision of services using practitioners with special interests: urgent and emergency care

Source: Department of Health

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Date of publication: March 2009

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell:  This document describes different models of care and provides information about the competences, training, accreditation and assessment processes to support the accreditation of Practitioners with Special Interests (PwSIs) in Urgent and Emergency Care .
 
Length of publication: 30 pages

Some important notes: This document should be read in conjunction with Implementing care closer to home: Convenient quality care for patients .  For Commissioners, this should be read in conjunction with the World Class Commissioning Assurance Framework and associated competencies.
 
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Preparing for pandemic influenza: guidance for GP practices

Source: BMA

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Date of publication: January 2009

Publication type: Best Practice

In a nutshell: This document advises practices on what they need to do now and in the future in order to prepare for, and respond to, a pandemic flu outbreak in the UK.  The document sets out guidelines for business continuity planning within GP practices and introduces new systems and procedures, such as the National Pandemic Flu Line, which will operate in an influenza pandemic. It also explains why there is a need to take action and how this will help minimise the spread of flu in a pandemic and make the best use of limited health resources.

 Length of publication: 61 pages

 Some important notes: The guidance is for GPs and their staff in general practice. Practice managers in particular should find it helpful. It will also be of use to primary care organisations  and is relevant to patients. 

This document will be regularly reviewed to include decisions as they are agreed plus any relevant changes, which relate to general practice.  It is a living document and it is therefore very important to revisit the website regularly.  To receive regular updates you should register with the BMA website