Guidance updates December 2021
The most important pieces of guidance released for general practice since our last newsletter are:
- Regulatory approval of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19 and Regulatory approval of Spikevax (formerly COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna) (MHRA guidance), 15 minute observation period temporarily suspended, updated 14.12.2021.
- Preparing the NHS for the potential impact of the Omicron variant and other winter pressures (NHS England letter), published 13.12.2021.
- CQC confirm postponement of GP inspections until 2022, published 13.12.2021.
- JCVI advice in response to the emergence of the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant: next steps for deployment, published 3 December.
Other pieces of guidance that may be of interest are grouped below.
Covid-19 response guidance
- Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19), updated 12.12.2021.
- NHS Covid Pass, section for people who have been vaccinated overseas, added 09.12.2021.
- National protocol for Comirnaty® Covid-19 mRNA vaccine, updated to version 4.0, 08.12.2021.
- Myocarditis and pericarditis after Covid-19 vaccination: guidance for healthcare professionals, study and weekly MHRA summary links, updated 07.12.2021.
- JCVI advice in response to the emergence of the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant: next steps for deployment, published 03.12.2021.
- CMO letter re: Omicron variant, published 28.11.2021.
- Prime Minister sets out new measures as Omicron variant identified in UK, published 27.11.2021.
Covid vaccination guidance
- Patient group direction for Comirnaty® (Pfizer BioNTech), updated 08.12.2021.
- Temporary GP contract changes to support Covid-19 vaccination programme, published 07.12.2021.
- Vaccination as a condition of deployment (VCOD) for healthcare workers: Phase 1 – Planning and preparation, published 06.12.2021.
- Covid-19 vaccination programme, IoS payments updated, 03.12.2021.
- Covid-19 vaccination: a guide for eligible children and young people aged 12 to 17 (version 3), updated 02.12.2021.
- Covid-19 vaccination: a guide to booster vaccination for individuals aged 18 years and over and those aged 16 years and over who are at risk, updated 01.12.2021.
- Covid-19 vaccination: guide for people with a weakened immune system, updated 01.12,2021.
- All adults to be offered Covid-19 boosters by end of January, published 30.11.2021.
- Covid-19 vaccination: a guide to booster vaccination for individuals aged 18 years and over, published 30.11.2021.
- MHRA statement on expansion of the Covid-19 vaccination booster programme, published 29.11.2021.
- JCVI advice on Covid-19 booster vaccines for those aged 18 to 39 and a second dose for ages 12 to 15, published 29.11,2021.
2021 is an election year, stand for your LMC (24 Mar 2021)
This year all the seats on our 27 LMCs are up for election, with nominations opening on 26 April and closing on 28 May. During the week of 26 April...GP Forward View five years on (24 Mar 2021)
The GP Forward View (GPFV) launched on 21 April 2016, with several commitments and aims for improving general practice and the care provided to patients. On 28 April, Dr Lisa...Stress Awareness Month 2021 (24 Mar 2021)
April is Stress Awareness Month and a timely point to reflect on the challenges faced by general practice over the course of the last year. The Coronavirus pandemic has been a very stressful...Covid-19 vaccination programme guidance round-up, March 2021 (23 Mar 2021)
Since our last newsletter there have been a number of new or updated pieces of guidance that are applicable to the GP run parts of the Covid-19 vaccination programme. The...Workforce survey results - winter 2020 (23 Mar 2021)
We had responses from 384 individuals, working in 316 different practices out of the 1,100 member practices surveyed between 24 November to 16 December 2020. This represents a response rate...Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy outreach (23 Mar 2021)
Londonwide LMCs and London general practice are supporting Public Health England (PHE) London’s “speaker bureau” initiative, connecting speakers with good general clinical and Covid-19 vaccine knowledge with community events. This...Response to CQC strategy consultation (23 Mar 2021)
Londonwide LMCs responded to the CQC’s strategy consultation before the closing deadline of 4 March 2021. Key points from the response are summarised below, group around the strategy’s four...Why sessional GPs should stand for their LMC (23 Mar 2021)
Ahead of this summer’s elections, Dr Veno Suri explains how he got involved with his area’s LMC and the value he has had from LMC membership. Veno joined Hillingdon LMC...NHS Property Services update February 2021 (24 Feb 2021)
Following a recent legal challenge by the BMA, NHS Property Services (NHSPS) may no longer rely on its charging policy as a sole legal basis to increase charges on practices...Guidance
We provide expert guidance for practices in our guidance section, as well as an archive of other materials you may find useful.
GP Support
Contact our GP Support team if you need help or advice.
The team provide professional and pastoral support to GPs and practice teams on a broad range of issues.