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.
Final pay control for 1995 pension scheme (23 Jan 2019)
The government introduced an employer's charge for pensionable salaried pay rises which are over the allowable amount, for employees who are members of the 1995 pension scheme. We are aware...Practices instructed to begin ordering licensed flu vaccines for next winter (23 Jan 2019)
In November NHS England, Public Health England and the Department of Health and Social Care wrote to practices instructing them to begin ordering currently licensed flu vaccines. In January NHS...GP Partnership Review recommendations published (23 Jan 2019)
Throughout it’s recommendations the Review’s findings broadly support the investment in workforce and other central planks of NHS England policy. We have summarised the recommendations which fall outside existing policy....Tips of the month January 2019 (22 Jan 2019)
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...Tackling loneliness and social isolation this Christmas (19 Dec 2018)
This time of year can see the problems loneliness and isolation at their worst for many people, the consequences of which are often seen in GP consultations. Zaidee O’Dell, Compassionate Neighbours London...NHS England Practice Manager Development Coaching and Mentoring Support – expression of interest (19 Dec 2018)
NHS England has commissioned ‘Beyond Coaching’ to provide coaching and mentoring support to practice managers who are playing a key role in supporting practices experiencing challenges, assisting change/improvement in general...Londonwide LMCs' December 2018 newsletter (19 Dec 2018)
GP representation required on the Independent Group Advising on the Release of Data (IGARD) (18 Dec 2018)
NHS Digital is recruiting specialist members to join IGARD, an independent group that considers applications for health and care data. IGARD advice ensures compliance with the relevant law and ethical...Ipsos Mori interim report on the independent evaluation of Babylon GP at Hand (18 Dec 2018)
The interim report of Ipsos Mori’s independent evaluation of Babylon GP at Hand mostly covers the methodology and data sources which the evaluation will use. It does not provide any...BMA seek feedback on NHSPS leases without service charges (18 Dec 2018)
The BMA would like to speak to practices in in NHS Property Services premises who have: Written leases without service charge provisions where no payments have historically been made...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.