Face covering requirements in practices
NHS England confirmed on 15 July 2021 that Public Health England’s infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance still applies to patient-facing healthcare settings, ahead of the law around mask wearing coming to an end on Monday. From a practical point of view this means practice staff can rely on mask wearing being NHS policy, rather than an individual practice decision, when asking patients to wear a face covering.
We have produced a poster that practices may wish to put up in waiting rooms, reminding patients of the importance of wearing a mask, and designed to reflect the diversity of London’s population.
We have been campaigning on the issue of face masks since the Government announced they would be dropped as a legal requirement two weeks ago, alongside a wider piece of work pushing back against abuse of practice staff by people opposed to mask wearing and the Covid vaccination campaign. Dr Michelle Drage, our CEO, spoke to The Guardian on Wednesday and shared examples of abuse fed back to us by London practices. Dr Drage was also quoted in Pulse and GPOnline prior to yesterday’s announcement, calling for a firmer line from NHS England on mask wearing.
Download colour version – A4 PDF
Download black and white version – A4 PDF
The BMA have also produced a poster covering masks and other IPC measures. Download here.
Last updated : 07 Oct 2021NHS England guidance August and September 2020 (23 Sep 2020)
In the last four weeks a number of guidance documents have been issued by NHS England, we have collated them here for ease of reference: GMS contract changes...Important action: LMC advice re general practice workforce data report September 2020 (23 Sep 2020)
It is important that practices submit comprehensive workforce returns by the submission date of 30 September. It is crucial that workforce returns are as comprehensive as possible. Please include the...Tips of the month September 2020 (23 Sep 2020)
We provide weekly tips based on common queries which come through to us from London GPs and practice teams. These are shared via social media and collated for this newsletter....LMC and Board changes (23 Sep 2020)
Dr Dami Adedayo is stepping down as Londonwide LMCs’ Treasurer, Board Member and as chair of Barnet LMC. We would like to thank Dami for her service to practitioners, her...GP cancer care social media campaign (23 Sep 2020)
Throughout October we are launching social media videos showcasing the value of cancer care in general practice and showing how practices have been open and seeing patients throughout the pandemic. Thank...Response to DHSC Coronavirus vaccine regulation consultation (22 Sep 2020)
We have submitted the following organisational response to the Distributing vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 and flu consultation run by the Department of Health and Social Care. 1. Temporary authorisation of...NHS Test and Trace app QR codes (22 Sep 2020)
The NHS Test and Trace app launches on 24 September. Part of the system involves businesses displaying QR codes which can be read by the app, so users can easily allow...Digital first and APMS contracts (17 Sep 2020)
During summer 2020 there have been discussions about the possibility of creating new APMS contracts in areas deemed to be ‘under-doctored’ by NHS England and local commissioners. This follows on...Seasonal Flu Campaign 2020-2021 (07 Sep 2020)
In view of the risk of co-circulation of seasonal flu and Covid-19 this winter, the 2020/21 national flu campaign will be essential in protecting our vulnerable patients and reducing clinical...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.
follow us on...
