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.
Tips of the month August 2020 (19 Aug 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...Summary for General Practices - Sir Simon Stevens’ Phase 3 NHS Response Covid-19 Letter (31 July 2020) (19 Aug 2020)
The letter is written to CEOs of trusts and foundation trusts, CCG accountable officers, GP practices and PCNs, community health providers and NHS 111. It sets out the ‘third...Londonwide LMCs' August 2020 Newsletter (19 Aug 2020)
...Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) phase 4 roll out (18 Aug 2020)
Phase 4 of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) will be enabled automatically for all TPP SystmOne and EMIS Web practices that use EPS (including dispensing practices) from 7 September 2020....Accessibility requirements for your website – deadline 23 September 2020 (18 Aug 2020)
All practices have a legal duty to make sure their websites meet accessibility requirements by 23 September 2020. The accessibility regulations aim to ensure online public services are...GP Professional Support Network now offering online help for Coronavirus and other pressures (03 Aug 2020)
Londonwide LMCs' new GP Professional Support Network provides a single point of online access to match GPs with the most appropriate form of professional support...Patient face covering exemptions (23 Jul 2020)
From Friday 24 July people are required to wear face-coverings in several environments including public transport, shops and supermarkets, practices may get an increase in requests from patients to provide exemption letters....Londonwide LMCs' July 2020 Newsletter (23 Jul 2020)
Inclusivity and diversity in general practice (22 Jul 2020)
The disproportionate mortality rate from coronavirus in Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as reported by Public Health England, alongside international events and awareness protests, have seen a...Help needed to plan for current and future demands of general practice (22 Jul 2020)
We have important work planned for the next three months that we need your help with. If you work in London general practice in an area represented by Londonwide LMCs,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.