GPs in Emergency Departments improve patient care

Source: Primary Care Foundation

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Date of Publication: March 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell:  This report, commissioned by the Department of Health, found that the increasing number of GPs and primary care nurses working in Emergency Departments can improve the quality of patient care.  However, there is little evidence for claims that this approach drives down costs or avoids inappropriate hospital admissions.

The Foundation estimates that around half of the Emergency Departments across the country offer some sort of primary care service.  The proportion of attendances that could be classified as primary care was between 10% and 30%.  This contrasts with widespread assumptions that up to 60% of patients could be diverted to GPs or primary care nurses.  

Length of publication: 102 pages

NHS emergency planning guidance: planning for the development and deployment of Medical Emergency Response Incident Teams in the provision of advanced medical care at the scene of an incident

Source: Department of Health

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Date of publication: March 2010

Publication Type: Best Practice

In a nutshell: This is best practice guidance to National Health Service (NHS) organisations in developing and deploying Medical Emergency Response Incident Teams (MERITs). Guidance provides background and context for MERITs, identifies the roles and responsibilities of NHS organisations and provides an outline of the scope and purpose of MERITs.

Length of publication: 12 pages

Some important notes: It builds on the guidance given in the underpinning section of the NHS Emergency Planning Guidance: immediate medical care at the scene.

London’s new trauma system

Source: Healthcare for London

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Date of Publication: April 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell:  This fact sheet announces the launch of a new trauma system in London from 6 April 2010.  The system is made up of four trauma networks, each with a major trauma centre for treating the most seriously injured patients, linked in with a number of local trauma units for treating those people with less serious injuries.  Ambulance crews have all been trained in the use of a protocol to take injured people to the hospital most suited to their needs.

The use of overseas doctors in providing out-of-hours services

Source: House of Commons Health Committee

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Date of publication: April 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell:  This short inquiry of out-of-hours general practice arrangements was undertaken by the Committee following the killing of a patient, Mr Gray, by Dr Ubani, a German locum. The Committee took oral evidence from representatives of PCTs and SHAs, a medical director of a GP out-of-hours service, the Chief Executive of the General Medical Council (GMC) and his deputy, the Chairman of the Council of the Royal College of GPs, and the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Mike O’Brien MP.

Length of publication: 75 pages

Some important notes: This is also available as a PDF by following this link

Ambulance Electronic Patient Report (AEPR)

Source: Information Standards Board

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Date of Publication: October 2009

Publication type: Standards

In a nutshell: The AEPR aims to replace the paper based Patient Report Form (PRF). The data standard that underpins the AEPR has passed the second of a three stage approval process with the Information Standards Board (ISB). The new standard is expected to be implemented by 01 April 2012.

Some important notes: There is a short article in  Urgent & Emergency Care Bulletin.

GP out-of-hours review

Source: Department of Health

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Date of Publication: February 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell:  This report from Steve Field and David Colin-Thome reviews GP out of hours services. The authors visited five sites across the country to assess the commissioning and provision of out-of-hours services, speaking to both commissioners and providers about the local service.  Local data and evidence was shared. A questionnaire was sent to all providers in the NHS Alliance Out of Hours Providers Leadership Group. The report’s recommendations are concentrated in three areas:

1. Commissioning and performance management of GP out-of-hours providers
2. Selection, induction, training and use of out-of-hours clinicians (including the use of locum GPs)
3. Management and operation of PCT performers lists

Length of publication: 47 pages

Regional trauma systems: interim guidance for commissioners

Source: Royal College of Surgeons

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Date of publication: December 2009

Publication letter:  Best practice

In a nutshell:  The Royal College of Surgeons, working with other Royal Colleges, specialty associations and faculties, has developed information and guidance on the benefits of regional trauma systems across the country.  The document provides information on the rationale for the development of regional trauma systems along with checklists to assist with the objective designation of hospitals within the trauma network and the presence of optimum resources for delivering trauma care.  The document is a vital supporting tool to ensure the provision of high quality trauma services for all injured patients

Length of publication: 60 pages

Impact of pandemic influenza on UK paediatric intensive care demand

Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood

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Date of publication: December 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Each winter seasonal respiratory virus infections account for large variations in unplanned admission to UK paediatric intensive care units.  The authors concluded that contingency measures for children needing paediatric intensive care are needed to absorb the likely increase in activity expected due to pandemic influenza.

Length of publication: 3 pages 

Acknowledgements: BBC News

New non-emergency number “111” piloted

Source: Pulse Today

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Date of publication: December 2009

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A new non-emergency urgent care number is to be piloted, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Clinically trained staff will take the calls and refer patients to services as appropriate.

Length of publication: Webpage

Some important notes: See also the press releases from NHS North East and NHS East Midlands, 2 of the 3 Strategic Health Authorities involved in the initial pilot.

Swine flu: UK planning assumptions revised

Source: Department of Health

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Year of publication: September 2009

Publication type: Best Practice

In a nutshell:  This document contains revised planning assumptions in relation to the current A(H1N1) Swine Flu pandemic. The assumptions are intended to provide a common agreed basis for planning, across all public and private sector organisations.  These assumptions are revised, reasonable worst case scenarios for planning purposes, based on the latest scientific evidence available on the A(H1N1) virus so far. They are not predictions of how we expect the virus to behave. They support effective planning for every eventuality.

Length of publication: 8 pages

Some important notes: These revised assumptions are appropriate for use until the end of the 2009/10 “seasonal flu” season – i.e. until Mid-May 2010. They supersede the planning assumptions published in July 2009.