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 2015New Department of Health ministerial team announced (19 Jul 2016)
Following the appointment of Theresa May as the Conservative leader and de jure Prime Minister, her Cabinet reshuffle was widely covered at the weekend. The Secretary of State for Health,...May 2016 workforce survey – Headlines (19 Jul 2016)
Thank you for supporting our May 2016 Workforce. We had a fantastic response from 628 unique practices across the capital. That is the equivalent of nearly half of all the...LMC elections 2016 – results available (19 Jul 2016)
We are pleased to announce that the following GPs have been elected to their respective LMCs for the term 2016 - 2018. Congratulations to all and we sincerely look forward...New patient engagement manager joins Londonwide LMCs (19 Jul 2016)
A warm welcome to Beryl Cross who has joined Londonwide LMCs as Project Manager for our new project to support practices in engaging...Feedback sought on Capita/PCSE performance 18 July - 1 August (19 Jul 2016)
Following concerns expressed about the current Capita/Primary Care Support England (PCSE) records and supplies services, Capita has said it will continue improving systems until they are at an acceptable level....Sustainability and Transformation Plans - July 2016 Update (19 Jul 2016)
Dr Michelle Drage calls for more LMC involvement Dr Michelle Drage was quoted in the Health Service Journal’s coverage of our workforce survey calling for LMC involvement in STP footprint...Speakers' Corner - Dr Ed Rosen from the Lambeth GP Food Co-op (19 Jul 2016)
Ed Rosen is the project director for the Lambeth GP Food Co-op. He has previously worked in a number of patient engagement projects including providing skilled facilitation for patient participation...Londonwide LMCs celebrates the NHS at 68 (18 Jul 2016)
To celebrate the NHS turning 68 on 5 July Dr Michelle Drage wrote a piece for the Huffington Post, asking ‘Is NHS General Practice No Longer a Valued Member...Workforce shortages hit hard as 49% of London GP practices have a vacancy, 43% expect a GP to retire in the next three years and 35 practices are considering closing, survey shows (14 Jul 2016)
As the workforce crumbles in the face of staff shortages, Dr Michelle Drage, Chief Executive of Londonwide LMCs, warns that general practice in London is in a state of emergency...Statement by Dr Michelle Drage on the EU referendum result (24 Jun 2016)
"From London's viewpoint the decision of voters outside our city is going to compound all the challenges we have been faced with and continue to try to manage across the...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...
