Weekend e-consults and online access

We are aware that many practices are receiving online consultations submitted over weekends and triaging these is creating significant workload, often running into several sessions of GP time each week.

Currently there is no requirement for practices to provide online consultations, although there is a commitment for them to become a mandatory part of core GP services in a future iteration of the GP Contract.

Practices may switch off their online consultation platforms outside of core hours, which will normally be done by contacting the platform provider, or in some cases just temporarily removing the link/embedded access to the platform from their website. However, they should make it clear on the page that formerly provided access to the platform that patients should visit NHS 111 instead.

Last updated : 24 May 2021

 

DHSC consultation on proposals to reform regulation of healthcare professionals (19 May 2021)

The Department for Health and Social Care is currently consulting on proposals to reform the regulation of healthcare professionals. In general terms there are a number of positive proposals, particularly...
Read more »

Proof of vaccination status for travel (18 May 2021)

Patients wishing to prove their Covid vaccination status can do so in two ways, neither of which require the involvement of their GP. The first way is by downloading the...
Read more »

Londonwide LMCs response to NHS England Publication B0497, 14 May 2021 (16 May 2021)

Yesterday evening NHS England issued a letter, which instructs practices to open their receptions for walk in triage and provide in-person appointments unless there is a “good clinical reason”...
Read more »

Shining a light on London’s exceptional general practice nurses (12 May 2021)

To celebrate International Nurses Day 2021, Kathryn Yates, our Director of Nursing asked people for across London general practice to ‘shine a light’ on the contributions of their nursing colleagues...
Read more »

Be ready for unprecedented times – 31 years in NHS nursing (11 May 2021)

Oluwafunmilayo Elizabeth Ayodeji is a Registered General Nurse, an Independent Prescriber and holds a BSC in Clinical Nursing. Elizabeth retired last week and has written this reflection on her time...
Read more »

Being a nurse in GP land during a global pandemic (11 May 2021)

Karen Landi is a GPN at the Speedwell Practice, North Finchley, Barnet. The Coronavirus pandemic has been very challenging at times, meaning we have had to learn to work in...
Read more »

LMC elections 2021 – nominations now open (28 Apr 2021)

Nominations for the 2021 LMC elections are now open. Only LMCs represent every GP practice in their area and every person working within each one. Standing for your LMC means...
Read more »

Covid vaccination guidance – April 2021 (28 Apr 2021)

New guidance issued over the last month largely relates to changes in advice around the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and licensing of the Moderna vaccine. AstraZeneca Lots of guidance...
Read more »

Provider selection consultation response (28 Apr 2021)

Londonwide LMCs recently responded to the NHS England consultation on changes to the procurement regime as set out in the recently published White Paper, including the circumstances under which ICS...
Read more »
Next Page »
« Previous Page