Notes of the meeting of North West Forum of Sessional GPs
26th March 2013
Attending: Dr S Baier - Chair
Dr T Ahmad Dr RB Avasthi
Dr G Dean Dr M Eves
Dr M C Fernandes Dr R Glen
Dr AP Greenwood Dr C Hattersley
Dr J Isa Dr RC Jones
Dr S Mirza Dr E O’Donnell
Dr R Patel Dr Y Patel
Dr P Robinson Dr J Southall
Mr P Higgins, Chief Executive, LMC
Apologies: Dr H Parry, Dr A Palmer, Dr CR Shah, Dr H Parry, Dr L Sears, Dr S Nair
1. Presentation; DVLA Guidance & Diabetes, Emma Hilton, Regional Medical Advisor, Novo Nordisk.
Members welcomed Emma Hilton to the meeting.
A presentation was given and the following was highlighted; (copy attached)
- Diabetes, hypoglycaemia, road traffic accidents and the DVLA
- Hypoglycaemia defined
- Hypoglycaemia unawareness
- Regulations
- Group 1 & Group 2
- Key changes to the DVLA Guidance
- What to do if your licence is taken away
For any queries to the DVLA it is advised to ring the direct number – 01792 782051
Members thanked Emma Hilton for the two presentations.
2. New members
It was reported that there were four new members at the meeting.
Reference was made to the changes to the Performers List which is currently held by each Primary Care Trust. From April 2013 there will be a national Performers List with the Responsible Officer for each Area Team being responsible for updating their part of the List. It was not clear at this point what the implications would be for local GPs.
3. Notes of meeting 15th January 2013
The notes of the meeting held on 15th January 2013 were agreed as a correct record.
4. Matters arising
(i) DNaR forms
Reference was made to the ‘Do Not Resuscitate Policy’ which was being presented to each of the LMCs in Lancashire. It had been agreed that there should be one policy that follows the patient wherever they are. It was reported that there was no further update.
(ii) Locum Superannuation
A BMA guidance document ‘Locum Employer’s Pension Contributions’ was tabled for information.
It was noted that the changes to locum superannuation comes in to effect from 1.4.2013 and only applies to those GPs paying in to the NHS pension scheme.
It was agreed to circulate the document to locums and practices for information.
(iii) Share Point
Members were reminded that Share Point was available to Greater Preston and Chorley & South Ribble CCG GPs and was a point of information. Members were asked to contact the practice manager where they are working or their CCG for login details as this was a very useful site.
5. MPS Workshop
It was reported that MPS hold many workshops which are very good and worth attending. MPS would be willing to attend a Sessional GP meeting if the majority of members were members of MPS. A show of hands deemed that it would not be worth MPS attending at this time.
6. Standing items
(i) LMC update
Mr Higgins gave an update on new organisational changes within the NHS. Reference was made to the National Commissioning Board Area Team and their responsibilities. It was reported that the Medical Director was Dr J Gardner who would be responsible for performance, appraisal and clinical strategy. Martin Clayton would be Director of Commissioning and be responsible for Primary Care Contracting. CCGs would be responsible for improving Primary Care quality, local incentive schemes, secondary care commissioning and Primary Care IT support and would be answerable to the Area Team.
It was agreed to let members know contact details as soon as they became available.
(ii) LMC Levy 2013/14
Members were reminded that the Levy for 2013/14 was now due for locum GPs and this should be sent to the LMC office. The fee payable was £54 which had not increased in the last 10 years. Members were urged to pay the fee as this entitled them to representation by the LMC office if they were to need it.
(iii) 111 Soft Launch
It was reported that the 111 service went live on the 21st March 2013 and collapsed with 24 hours of its launch due to lack of adequate training, preparation, robust IT systems and resources.
LMC issues a several press releases across Lancashire & Cumbria highlighting their concerns for the system.
(iv) LMC Website
Mr Higgins made reference to the LMC website which was currently in the process of being updated. Members were asked if they had anything they would specifically like to see on the website.
(v) Appraisal
Mr Higgins reported that LMC had previously fought for funding for locum appraisals as they felt that it was a locums statutory right to have their appraisals paid for and it was a Lancashire wide policy. There were now thoughts nationally that this funding may be withdrawn. It was hoped that the Lancashire policy may be implemented nationally.
Dr Baier said that all GPs should now have received a date within the next 3 yeards that they were to be revalidated.
7. Open forum
(i) CCG Elections
It was reported that elections were currently taking place in Greater Preston, Chorley & South Ribble and West Lancashire CCGs and was open to anyone who works the majority of their clinical time in these CCG areas.
(ii) Prescribing issues for locums
Concern was raised at the number of incidents where locum GPs were being forced to issue prescriptions for patients where the medication did not appear on the medical records. Several incidents had been highlighted in the Blackburn with Darwen PCT area and it appeared to be mainly nursing homes that were the culprits. Members asked if there were any specific guidance that was available. Members were advised to contact their MDU in the first instance.
8. Legal Advice for Locum/Sessional GPs questionnaire
A form seeking feedback for possible topics for a presentation for the July Sessional GP meeting had been circulated with the agenda for completion. Members were asked to complete the form from Harrison Drury and return to the LMC office.
9. Correspondence
A list of correspondence e-mailed to members since the last meeting had been circulated with the agenda for information.
10. Date & time of next meeting
It was agreed that the next meeting of the Sessional GPs should take place on Tuesday 14th May 2013. Due to meeting room issues the meeting will be held on 21st May 2013.
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