COVID-19: 22nd June COVID-19 round-up for primary care
The past 18 months have been incredibly demanding on all of you, and we want to take this opportunity to remind you to please take some time off if you can to spend with friends and family. It is important that we all take time for ourselves away from work to recharge our batteries and look after our mental health and wellbeing.
The Institute for Employment Studies (IES) have been commissioned to conduct a study of the wellbeing of the primary care workforce. IES is an independent, not-for-profit research institute that specialises in evaluation and research on employment and HR matters.
This survey is the third in a series that will be used to assess the current wellbeing of the workforce. It asks you to reflect on your personal wellbeing as well as the functioning of your team and your experiences of working remotely. We are using the results of this research to continually improve the coaching support we are offering. Please submit your responses by Monday 12 July.
All adults eligible for vaccination
On 14 June the Government announced that all adults aged 18 and over are to be offered a vaccination by 19 July. Throughout last week we had been opening up Cohort 12 enabling 21 to 29-year-olds to book their vaccine. From 18 June, all those aged 18 and over are now able to book their vaccinations.
FAQs: students in higher education institutions
We have published Frequently Asked Questions to support general practice and higher education institutions.
In general, patients should return to the place they had their first dose to have their second dose. However, it is appropriate for students to receive their second dose in a different location to their first dose due to their circumstances. The National Booking Service has an option to book or re-arrange the second vaccination appointment at a different location to the first appointment. If a student had a first dose in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, but is in England at the time of their second dose, they should either:
- book a second dose through the National Booking Service (if they are registered with a GP in England and therefore have an English NHS number);
- register with a GP in England and book an appointment that way; or
- approach a local GP and ask to be vaccinated as an unregistered patient.
If a person has received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine overseas with a vaccine that is also available in the UK, they should receive the same vaccine for their second dose. If the vaccine they received for their first dose is not available in the UK, the most similar alternative should be offered as per the advice here (see sections on vaccine interchangeability guidance).
Vaccination of patients who do not have an NHS number
No patient should be denied access to a Covid vaccination based on not having an NHS number or being registered with a GP. This is particularly important in the case of health inclusion population groups. It is important that PCN services should ensure that they are offering vaccinations to both registered and unregistered patients, some of whom may not have an NHS number. The Frequently Asked Questions provide further information and access to support. If any providers are having difficulty in offering vaccines for patients without an NHS number please contact us at england.pccovidvaccine@nhs.net.
Thursday 1 July, 8pm - 9pm. PCPA, PSNC and NPA webinar
GP referral to Community Pharmacist Consultation Service implementation gems and resources
COVID-19: 25th June COVID-19 round-up for primary care
TBC
