11th January 2022 LDC Update

10 January 2022

  1. NEW ISOLATION AND RETURN TO WORK GUIDANCE
    • From 6th January 2022, Scottish Government altered the guidance for self-isolation as detailed in this policy document.
    • GG&C HB have produced a summary guide to isolation and returning to work.
    • They have also provided a useful checklist to complete when practices are considering a team member’s return to work.
  2. GG&C RAG STATUS
    • Staff shortages due to omicron spread are affecting some practices’ abilities to maintain a service to patients.
    • GG&C’s consultant in dental public health has written to practices to set out a continuity plan.
    • Practices must self-assess their ability to safely provide patient care using the red/amber/green ‘RAG’ system and follow the guidance on contigency arrangements.
      • RED status practices are those that consider they can no longer safely provide any physical patient care.
      • AMBER status practices are those that have been limited by unexpected circumstances and may have to make widespread adjustments, such as a return to urgent care provision only
      • GREEN status practices are those that are able to continue to provide a safe ‘normal-for-covid-times’ service.
    • Your practice contingency plan should be revisited to ensure your ‘buddy’ practice arrangement is still agreed and viable.
  3. UPDATING YOUR SOP
    • The CDO circulated an updated dental SOP which is based on the new ARHAI guidance.
    • Practice SOPs should now be updated to reflect:
      • Daily lateral flow testing for all staff, to be carried out shortly before leaving home.
      • The new return to work policy and the new checklist 
      • The GG&C RAG system and practice contingency arrangements (such as confirming buddy practice).
      • The new respiratory virus screening questions
      • The new categorisation of patients (respiratory / non-respiratory)
      • The GG&C PDS referral pathway for respiratory patients that can’t be seen in practice.
        • Note: AMBER and GREEN practices will still be expected to treat respiratory patients if they can’t be delayed (with suitable mitigation)
      • Vigilance against the increased risk of spread with omicron, especially in non-clinical areas
        • Mask wearing
        • Hand sanitising
        • Disinfecting touch points 
    • GG&C have provided a patient letter that can be copied on to practice headed paper, email or websites.  
      • The letter explains the limitations on dental practice and the reasoning behind the screening questions.
  4. LFD TEST SUPPLY
    • LFD test kits were due to be delivered last week however there appear to have been delays with weather / staff shortages.
    • GG&C LDC have chased this with the Oral Heath Directorate who will take this up with NSS
    • There is an intention to move on to PECOS ordering of supplies in the future.
  5. GG&C LDC AGM
    • The LDC’s AGM will be held 18:30 Wednesday 2 February 2022 online.
    • All dentists with a GG&C list number can attend but advance booking is essential as the attendance links are unique to each booking.
    • LDC business on the agenda:
      • Update from the Chair
      • Update from the Treasurer
      • Vote on constitutional amendments
      • Guest speakers
        • Deputy CDO Gillian Leslie
        • Chair of SDPC David McColl
        • Chief of Dentistry GG&C Lee Savarrio
      • Motions for the upcoming conference of Scottish LDCs (April 22 2022)
  6. GG&C LDC ELECTIONS
    • The annual elections to GG&C LDC will commence in the coming weeks.
    • Our general secretary will be circulating nomination papers soon.
    • We continue to be under-represented in the Glasgow North seats 
      • We would strongly encourage all dentists with an interest in dental politics to consider standing for the LDC.
      • It is an excellent gateway into the broader dental political arena.
      • Successful candidates will also be able to represent at the national Conference of Scottish LDCs, which sets the national political agenda for GDPs.
  7. APPLICATIONS FOR VT TRAINERS
    • A new VT year is expected to start in August 2022
    • The deadline for new VT trainers has passed however existing trainers must reapply by 4pm 28 January 2022.