NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2003
Prescriptions FP10s for Tractor Feed Printers
Pneumococcal Immunisation Programme
New Contract
Following the acceptance of the contract, work now begins on the implementation process. The GPC has issued a number of documents concerning this and these can be found on the links below. They are also available on the BMA and Regional LMC websites.
GMSC2 Update 25 July 2003 - Annex
The process of implementing the new contract (dubbed GMS2 by the GPC and nGMS by the DoH) is now starting in earnest. PCTs will be writing to practices about which additional and enhanced services they wish to provide. It is important to remember that the necessary regulations for the contract have not yet been passed and at present there are no regulations in place. Exact pricing of these services has yet to be determined. It is important that you do not definitely commit to any scheme at present, although it is important that PCTs do know which services practices plan to provide. They will be responsible for the provision of services which we do not provide.
Practices should look at the services which they currently provide and consider whether or not they are funded under the global sum as either essential or additional services. If services provided are not included in this list then they will either need to be funded as an enhanced service or the practice will need to give notice to the PCT that they will no longer be providing the service. It is important that if the new contract is to help workload management, that we should only provide services which are fully funded.
GPs have preferential provider status for essential and additional services, but only for enhanced services that they are currently providing. This means that there is a chance that general practice will not receive the promised additional resources if some of these services are contracted from other providers.
PCTs are now responsible for 100% funding of GP IT systems. However, the equipment will now belong to the PCT and development must comply with the local IT development plan. PCTs are required to give priority to practice with systems which are not RFA 99 v1.1 complaint. New systems will belong to the PCT and there will need to be a Service Level Agreement to outline how a practice may use the computers. 100% of maintenance and minor upgrade cost will be back dated to 1st April 2003. Practices are advised to obtain the approval of their PCT before upgrading or replacing any equipment, if they want to be sure of 100% reimbursement.
From 1st April 2004, practices will be able to opt out of the provision of "out of hours" services, PCTs are making plans for this on the assumption that local GPs will opt out. From 1st January 2005 GPs will have to "opt in" to providing these services. The future will see these services delivered in a different manner, with the integration of NHS direct with the out-of-hours service and the provision by a different skill mix.
The Department of Health has identified the following parts of the contract that need to be implemented as soon as possible.
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Revised seniority payments |
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Payment of quality preparation monies |
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Introduction of first directed enhanced services |
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Introduction of further premises flexibilities. |
Medical Consent Release Form
The BMA and Law Society have produced a new consent form which will improve protection for the public when they agree to release their medical records. It is hoped that the new form will demonstrate that the patient's informed consent has been gained before health records are disclosed. The professional bodies have worked together to devise the form amid concern that patients bringing personal injury legal claims may not always appreciate what they have given permission for. A copy of this document can be found here in PDF format.
Freedom of Information Act
The GPC has discussed the implications of the Freedom of Information Act for GPs, who are specifically defined as public authorities under the Act. It advises GPs to use the existing BMA and information commissioner guidance and model publication scheme (available at www.dataprotection.gov.uk under “key tools for implementation”) in order to comply with the requirement to produce a publication scheme by 31 October 2003. A publication scheme is a list or index of the type of information that will be available to the public, a description of how it can be obtained, an explanation of any charges that might apply (these are regulated by the Act) and of the types of information that the GP holds but cannot make available and why.
More detailed guidance for GPs has been produced by the GPC and can be found here.
Prescriptions: FP10s for Tractor Feed Printers
FP10s for tractor feed/continuous feed printers will be withdrawn in March 2004. Tractor feed printers still in use will need to be replaced. Under the new GMS contract, the cost of replacement should be met fully by the PCT (the same should apply to PMS practices). PCTs will shortly be carrying out an inventory of current GP systems to inform any necessary upgrades required for the new contract.
PCTs will already be aware of this issue from previous Health Department communications and the Pharmacy and Prescriptions branch will, again, bring it to the attention of Medical Directors in its next internal bulletin. Flyers will also be included in future batches of FP10s from the Forms Supply Unit.
Insurance and Genetic Tests
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has produced an information leaflet for patients about the use of genetic information by insurance companies. It explains what is meant by a "predictive genetic test" and sets out the terms of the current moratorium on the use of unfavourable predictive genetic tests results for insurance policies up to a certain level (which runs until November 2006). The leaflet also includes a list of frequently asked questions and gives details on how to make a complaint. The leaflet, Insurance and genetic tests, what you need to know, is available on the ABI's website at: www.abi.org.uk/Public/Consumer/Codes/InsGenTestsFinal.pdf and paper copies may be ordered from the ABI Publications Unit on 020 7216 7617.
Data Protection: Notification
For some time, companies posing as "collectors on behalf of data protection" have been targeting GP practices requesting payment (sometimes up to £95 + VAT) for data protection registration. There is no connection between the information commissioner and such individuals. The commissioner advises those approached in this way not to make any payment and to notify their local trading standards office. His office is co-operating with other relevant authorities, who are exploring what action might be taken. Further information and a list of companies that have been brought to the information commissioner's attention can be found at: http://www.dataprotection.gov.uk/dpars.htm.
The GPC has asked LMCs to warn their constituents against such companies and remind them that other than paying the annual statutory notification fee of £35, on which no VAT is payable, there is no charge made by the office of the information commissioner to any data controller wishing to notify.
Pneumococcal Immunisation Programme
The Department of Health in England is due imminently to launch a pneumococcal immunisation programme. The Government is intending to implement a staged programme in England such that this year patients over 80 should be immunised, next year patients over 75 and the following year patients over 65 years of age.
The reason for the staging of the programme is due to a vaccine shortage. Discussions are being held with the Department of Health determining whether GPs are advised not to immunise those below the prescribed age given the vaccine shortage and the priority of the older age group. The vaccine is a once only immunisation and a level B fee has been added to the fee scale for this year for those over 80 who have not been previously immunised.
Similar programmes are to be introduced in Scotland and Wales and negotiations are taking place separately in these countries. A programme was introduced in Northern Ireland last year.
Dr P Golik
Secretary