Content originally from NHS England
A message from Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive
As previewed in the last bulletin, last week saw a major step forward for patient access to care in the launch of the new Pharmacy First service.
For those who need it, being able to be assessed and treated in a convenient location for common issues such as sinusitis, infected insect bites and shingles will be a real improvement in their experience of care, and also comes alongside the new ability through the NHS App to track their prescriptions and collect them with a simple barcode.
That more than nine in ten community pharmacies in England – over 10,000 in total – have signed up to offer the Pharmacy First service is also a significant boost for primary care more broadly, potentially freeing up millions of GP appointments every year for others with more complex needs. So a thank you and congratulations to everyone involved in making this launch a success locally.
I also found it incredibly valuable to be in Norwich on Thursday and Friday, spending time with and hearing from colleagues about local challenges and successes, including at our public board and then on Friday at Hellesdon Hospital with the team from Norfolk and Suffolk NHSFT, seeing the range of services on offer and discussing the strategic priorities of the Trust to improve the quality of and access to care for local people.
Coming up this week, the first letters will be landing on doormats around the country encouraging parents to bring their children forward to catchup on their MMR jabs, which will help the response to the measles outbreak in the West Midlands.
Marking National Apprentices Week, we will be highlighting the opportunities available in the health services for those who want to earn while they learn. The NHS is already the nation’s biggest trainer of apprentices, with more than 20,000 starting last year, and as part of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan we will be working with you to triple the number being trained by 2030, so they make up more than one in five new recruits.
And finally, I also wanted to highlight Race Equality Week, beginning today. This year’s theme of #ListenActChange is a useful mantra for leaders every week of the year, and in response to the inequalities experienced by any of our colleagues. One of the enduring strengths of the NHS is its diverse workforce, and we have made very welcome progress on many aspects of race equality over the last several years that we have been collected and publishing data as part of the Workforce Race Equality Standard.
But while colleagues from ethnic minority backgrounds continue to be underrepresented at senior levels, and in particular more likely to experience bullying, abuse and harassment, we have more to do to live up to the NHS values we hold ourselves to. Racism should have no place in the NHS. Ensuring that’s the case is a responsibility for everyone.
With best wishes,
Amanda
Latest updates
Measles, mumps and rubella vaccination materials
Download our patient-facing measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination invitation materials. The invitations encourage people to contact their GP surgery and are available in 2 formats, including translated versions in over 20 languages.
Pharmacy First service: supporting access to NHS care
As part of the launch of the Pharmacy First service, we are asking pharmacy contractors to ensure that pharmacists are familiar with the 7 clinical pathways, clinical protocol, and patient group directions that ensure services and medicines are provided in a safe and trusted manner.
Included in our skills training is the use of a self-assessment framework to help pharmacists identify areas for further learning.
National patient safety alert – transition to standard connectors
Our national patient safety alert for intrathecal and epidural procedures, and delivery of regional blocks requires providers to transition to a dedicated standard (NRFit™) connector by 31 January 2025. Please ensure local implementation is clinically led and co-ordinated by an executive lead.
Building the right home: NHS housing capital guidance
The aim of our capital grant funding is to improve access to specialist and supported housing options for people with a learning disability and autistic people, working with colleagues across housing, health, and social care.
Read our capital guidance and find out how to access funding to develop housing.
News from our partners
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DHSC’s updated guidance for integrated care partnerships on the preparation of integrated care strategies, includes new case studies and reflects developments since ICSs were placed on a statutory footing in July 2022.
Discharge from mental health inpatient settings
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Hospital discharge and community support guidance
DHSC’s updated hospital discharge guidance includes new legal duties to involve families and carers in discharge decisions and for local authorities and NHS organisations to work together to enable discharge. It includes information on good practice in care transfer hubs.
Good medical practice
The GMC’s good medical practice updated standards recently came into effect. Read detailed guidance on applying the standards.
The GMC outreach team is holding workshops with doctors to discuss how the standards can be used in the workplace. If you would like to organise a local workshop please email guidanceworkshops@gmc-uk.org or contact your local adviser.
Events and webinar
Specialised commissioning
Taking place this week, these webinars support ICBs and providers to prepare for the delegation of some specialised services from April:
- Contracting: Tuesday 6 February, 4pm to 5pm
- Data and analytics: Wednesday 7 February, 4pm to 5pm
- High-cost drugs: Thursday 8 February, 2pm to 3pm
Visit our FutureNHS specialised commissioning page for joining information and details of future events. For further information email fcmp.england@nhs.net.
Provider selection regime (PSR)
Thursday 22 February, 2pm to 4pm
Reserve a place on our PSR practitioner webinar. It provides an overview and a detailed walk through of specific PSR requirements and decision-making processes for procurement professionals. The topics include direct award processes, transparency requirements and contract modifications.
NHS ConfedExpo 2024, 12 and 13 June, Manchester Central
Register for NHS ConfedExpo 2024. The event, which NHS England delivers in partnership with NHS Confederation, is set to be one of the most significant events in the health and care calendar. Senior leaders and their teams come together to discuss key issues, share learning and best practice and make valuable new connections.
Tickets are free for NHS, local authority and wider public sector staff. Book your pass today.
Follow @ConfedExpo on Twitter for the latest news about the event.
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