5th March 2021 GG&C LDC Update
04 March 2021
Lateral Flow Device Tests; Mop-up Clinics; FFP3 Mask Fits; Setting up ECS; Private Dental Plans
- LATERAL FLOW DEVICE TESTING
- NSS have now distributed lateral flow device test kits to practices across Scotland.
- A lateral flow device test is a rapid antigen test that allows staff to regularly test themselves for COVID-19 and get results in a very short time-frame (30 minutes).
- Although they are not as sensitive as PCR tests (where samples are sent to labs to be tested), they can pick up asymptomatic cases.
- Guidance can be found on the GG&C website, including:
- Instructions on how to register your kits (you need the LOT number on the outer box)
- Instructions on how to use (including a video)
- Instructions on how to log results
- Instructions on what to do if you get a positive result (refer for a PCR test)
- A national LFD test SOP
- An FAQ document and also a powerpoint presentation
- A useful poster to display in the practice
- You must log LFD test results twice weekly if you opt in
- A positive LFD test requires you to then get a PCR test and follow test and protect advice
- If you develop symptoms of covid-19 you must still isolate and arrange a PCR test even if your most recent LFD test was negative
- You should not use the LFD tests for at least 90 days after a positive covid test (because the antigens could still be around in your system).
- This week’s Chief of Dentistry update came with ‘Additional Support and Guidance for Dental Practices for COVID-19 Cases and Contacts in a Dental Setting‘
- EASTER WEEKEND NHS 24
- NHS 24 cover has been confirmed for Good Friday (2nd April) and Easter Monday (5th April).
- Patients should be directed to call 111 if your practice is closed.
- COVID VACCINE MOP UP CLINICS
- If you missed out on your first vaccine dose (e.g. due to illness) you can now book on to one of the ‘mop up clinics’
- Please use this link to book onto the next clinic (Sunday 14th March NHS Louisa Jordan)
- NB This is for NHS frontline staff who qualify under priority groups 1 or 2.
- This service is not for those who are awaiting the alternative Astrazeneca vaccine (eg due to allergy to Pfizer constituents), these team members should contact occupational health to make themselves known.
- FFP3 MASK FIT ALTERNATIVES
- It is essential that all clinical team members are moved on to an alternative FFP3 mask as soon as possible. The 3M 1863 has been discontinued and will soon run out.
- There have been regular webropols circulated to practice generic inboxes inviting team members to fit to the Alpha Solway alternative (the main alternative mask).
- Please continue to share these links with all team members who haven’t been tried to this mask.
- If you have failed on the Alpha Solway you need to email to arrange an alternative mask fit test.
- EMERGENCY CARE SUMMARIES
- The Emergency Care Summary (ECS) is a web accessible ‘crib sheet’ detailing a patient’s essential medical history features (e.g. medication list and drug allergies)
- There have been reports of practices struggling to set this up.
- A user guide detailing how to gain access can be found here.
- If you aren’t managing to get it up and running you should contact GG&C IT support on 0345 612 5000 and they will talk you through it.
- PRIVATE DENTAL PLANS
- From this week’s Chief of Dentistry Update:
- “If your practice has made the decision to move registered NHS patients’ care away from the NHS, you must ensure the patient is fully advised of this, understands and accepts. Subsequent to that discussion, you must ensure that a GP200 is completed for each patient and submitted to our GDS admin team here in NHS GGC Oral Health Directorate. It is not possible for a patient to be considered an ‘independent/private’ patient but still have an ongoing NHS registration. Please be aware that reducing your list size is likely to have an impact on NHS support and allowances including Covid top-up payments, General Dental Practice Allowance, rent reimbursement, rates reimbursement, clinical waste uplift, PPE provision etc.”
- The LDC strongly advise that, if you have not done so already, you should retrospectively submit GP200s for all patients that have been moved on to independent plans. Scottish Government, PSD, Health Boards, regulators and the general public will look very unfavourably on professionals who are found to be double claiming NHS and Private capitation. If you are reducing your NHS commitment you must also be prepared to accept reduced NHS support.
- TAYSIDE PHARMACEUTICALS
- The LDC have become aware of an issue with replacing the Tayside Pharmaceutical medical emergency drug kits.
- We have highlighted this to GG&C DPAs and we are assured that they are looking into this as a matter of urgency.
- LDC (GP Sub) ELECTIONS
- Voting closes at 5pm 19th March 2021.
- If you are a list number holder in Glasgow North, Glasgow South or Renfrewshire/Inverclyde you should have received voting papers on Friday 19th February. If you did not, please email our elections officer.
- Details of the nominees can be viewed on our website here.
- How do the LDC fit in to Scottish Dental Politics? This simplified hierarchy shows how it all fits together.