Tamiflu in nursing and care homes
In January the GPC sought legal advice on Public Health England’s (PHE) instructions to prescribe Tamiflu for the prophylaxis of influenza in nursing and care homes where there have been confirmed cases of influenza.
This advice was highlighted in a letter to PHE:
GMS regulations are clear that this service is not included under essential services that practices are required to provide for their registered patients. "Essential Services" are defined in the GMS regulations with reference to regulations 15(3) (5) (6) and (8). Additional work must be commissioned and funded separately as an *Enhanced Service". Examples of these are the influenza vaccination programme and catch up MMR vaccination campaign.
Although PHE disagreed with this view, we would like to re-iterate the GPC’s advice to practices that this work is not covered by their contracts and that if requested, practices should advise PHE (or whoever else requests this) that unless this service is properly commissioned, they will not be providing it in the event of a flu outbreak. The Chief Medical Officer has been informed that practices have been advised of this. We would also advise LMCs to contact their CCGs to alert them to this gap in provision and invite them to commission a service.
Last updated : 14 Oct 2015Discriminatory language and behaviour in the workplace (19 Nov 2019)
At the end of October an ITV news interview provoked a lot of debate, after a surgeon of South Asian heritage revealed a patient had asked for a white...Pre-election period 2019 (19 Nov 2019)
What is “Purdah”? ‘Purdah’ or ‘the pre-election period’ refers to the weeks preceding a general election when specific restrictions apply principally around the activity of those working in central and...Hospitals discharging patients after missed appointments (19 Nov 2019)
Recent media reports have revealed large numbers of patients being discharged form hospital after a missed appointment, contrary to the NHS Standard Contract. We all know that general practice...CNSGP – What is in, what is out and who do I approach for help? (19 Nov 2019)
The Clinical Negligence Scheme for General Practice (CNSGP) was introduced on 1 April 2019 and provides comprehensive indemnity for clinical negligence liabilities arising in NHS general practice in relation...Conference of England LMCs - 22 November 2019 (15 Nov 2019)
The Conference of England LMCs is on Friday 22 November. A full list of motions to be debated can be read here. Three motions are being proposed by LMCs...Registering for Central Alerting System (CAS) alerts (31 Oct 2019)
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Central Alerting System (CAS) is the national system for issuing patient safety alerts, important public health messages and other safety critical...Brexit update - October 2019 (23 Oct 2019)
On 8 October Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, released a statement on his department’s preparations for a ‘no-deal’ exit from the European Union....Physician – look after yourself (23 Oct 2019)
Following World Mental Health day earlier this month, Dr Richard Stacey from our GP support team looks at how clinicians can take better care of their own mental health. 10...Debt and Mental Health Evidence Form (DMHEF) (23 Oct 2019)
It will now be a contractual requirement for GPs to complete a Debt and Mental Health Evidence Form (DMHEF), for patients who have a mental health condition. GPs in England...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.