Dear NELG Member,
This newsletter is produced by DR Paula Wright, GP tutor for Sessional GPs.
Wishing all a Happy Easter!
This monthly programme which runs from 8-9pm at the Tomlinson teaching centre on the first wednesday of each month has had a sudden boost in numbers (for the last two months has exceeded 60 attendees).
We have a practical talk on FATS/cholesterol guidelines planned for April 2nd by Jane Skinner, community cardiologist who always receives excellent feedback.
This programme will be moving to Walkergate Hospital in July 2008 BUT WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE ON THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH FROM 8-9PM GENERALLY.
PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THE EVENTS PAGE OF THE EDUCATION SECTION OF THE NELG WEBSITE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
We have been well looked after at the Tomlinson by Danny Lamb and will be sad to move on.
A number of people have referred to this lecture programme as being the “NELG programme”. This programme is organised by myself in my capacity as GP tutor and is open to all sessional GPs. It receives no funding or organisational input from NELG, however NELG members like all local sessional GPs have an opportunity to attend and to influence its content. The current format of running this deanery sessional GP monthly programme on the same night and at the same venue as the NELG meetings has been in operation since 2004 with the aim of facilitating the opportunity for networking and education to happen in one evening. Some of you will notice that from time to time the format of the evening changes with the formal talks starting earlier, or there being a social component- which was particularly crucial as part of the evening to facilitate launching self directed learning groups. I will continue to work closely with the NELG to help ensure these evenings work well.
Planned topics:
• Self directed learning groups/co-mentoring/Balint
• Sports medicine
• Extended hours and salaried GPs
• Abnormal LFTs
• New NICE guidelines (any requests?)
• Mental capacity act
A number of you have been in touch asking about opportunities to access mandatory training for CPR and child protection. This has been provided by Time outs and also the RVI CHER meetings, as well as in practices etc. I will try and include some sessions into the monthly sessional GP programme.
A new policy is being introduced which relates to the interface between appraisal and revalidation.
The introduction to this paper states:
“The White Paper Trust Assurance and Safety refers to re-licensing as requiring:
A- Successful completion of annual appraisal (which is increasingly understood to include submission of an adequate or minimum dataset)
B-Multi-source feedback
C- a local “sign off” by the GMC affiliate that any performance concerns about the doctor have been appropriately dealt with.
GP appraisers have a potential role in steps A and C of re-licensing.
In step A: they can confirm that the doctor has engaged adequately in appraisal, by submitting a form 4 and PDP and an additional checklist that shows that the minimum dataset for evidence (recommended by the PCT) has been submitted.
In step C: Appraisers may at times identify early indicators of potential performance concerns but be unsure of the best course of action to take . These indicators may need to be discussed further as indicated below. They would only become a defined performance concern after due investigation by the Medical Directorate and the Practitioners’ Advisory Group.”
The full paper is out for consultation including the LMCs and NELG, and permission has been given for the draft paper to be made available via the NELG website for sessional GPs to read and comment.
This booklet has run out but if there is further demand I will get another print run done (they can be produced at 24 hrs notice). Requests should come to me at 24 woodlands Gosforth nE34YL accompanied by a SAE envelope with 3 x 1st class stamps and 50P to cover printing costs (for which there is no other source of funding).
I am hearing lots of enthusiasm about the SDLG which popping up last year following our big event in February. Many have requested a follow up evening to create new groups and share good practice. I plan to arrange this for the next few months and perhaps combine it with opportunities to find out about co-mentoring and also Balint Groups. In the meantime anyone who would like to share anonymously their experience of SDLGs please contact me (Paula Wright- pfwright@doctors.org.uk).
The latest newsletter has been published and is available online on
http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/sessgpsnewsjan08
The GPC/BMA has published a new tool and guidance. This is available
http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/inhousereview?OpenDocument&Highlight=2,house,performance,review
“An in-house performance review (IHPR) of salaried GPs can be valuable to both the employer and the salaried GP. This document provides information on IHRP.
An IHPR can be defined as:
(a) A process whereby the performance and achievements of the doctor are examined against standards and goals which have been explicitly agreed at the creation of a new post or at the last performance review;
(b) A process to identify what areas of development the doctor needs to focus on over the next year, identifying where responsibilities lie for these goals (e.g. practice, individual, etc); and
(c) A process which may be linked to ongoing decisions about employment, pay or development of the doctor's role within the practice.”
BMA IN HOUSE PERFORMANCE REVIEW FOR SALARIED GPS
It can be tricky as a sessional GP to receive all the usual information which principals receive. You are most likely to notice this just after qualifying or when moving into locum work. If you feel you are “out of the loop” some of the information below may be of interest.
BNFs
The DoH in England distributes the BNF to all freelance GPs registered on the NASGP's database. If you haven't received your spring edition by early May, or autumn edition by early November, then please contact the DH Publication Orderline on 08701 555 455.
Medical Mailings: 0800 626 387
Urgent DOH/CMO cascades
icdb1@dh.gsi.gov.uk
Ask to be added to the public health link mailing
list giving your full name, job title, job role (if different to your job
title), workplace organisation name and full address (including postcode),
email, fax and telephone details.
GP Bulletin (Department of Health)
add details of new personnel to mailto:dh_gp_amendments@etdsolutions.com
Please include name(s) and full contact details and the date of any changes.
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network
Sign update mailing list
Signupdate@signweb.org.uk
http://mail.signweb.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/signupdate_signweb.org.uk
Medicine safety alerts (MHRA)
To change your current subscriptions please go to the following link (login required): http://www.mhra.gov.uk/emailalerts
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB)
Call 0207 383 6270 (REQUIRES paid subscription)
MeReC Bulletin
http://www.npc.co.uk/merec.htm
Electronic publication or paper.
GP/ DOCTOR/ UPDATE & MIMS (Haymarket Business Publishing)
Only a very limited number available, free to sessional GPs on a rotational basis ; Call The Medical Mailing Company on 0800 626 387
The prescribing adviser for North of tyne NHS is happy to include sessional GPs in her email distribution.
To be added to this please contact her directly at:
Zahra.Irannejad@newcastle-pct.nhs.uk
I will be trying to find out who the equivalent contacts are for South of Tyne NHS and Durham etc (if anyone knows please let me know).