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17 April 2020

All documents can be found here

Dear colleague

Please find below the latest GP update regarding Covid-19.

You will find this update with links to the files on the new North West London password-protected site page. You can also review the full list of Covid-19 related service changes, to ensure you have not missed any notices.

Website: https://www.nwlondonccg.nhs.uk/professionals/coronavirus-clinical

Password: NWLCovid-19

Today’s update includes:

  • NHSE message: Advice on ibuprofen and COVID-19
  • Latest clinical pathways and SOPs
  • Message from LAS: Guidance for GPs re Emergency Ambulance Requests
  • Service change

-       Temporary changes to Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust out-patient audiology services

  • For information: RE Scrubs, gowns, alginate bags and linen cages - Letter from Simon Corben (Head of Profession, NHS Estates)

 

NHSE message: Advice on ibuprofen and COVID-19

The Commission on Human Medicines’ Expert Working Group on COVID-19 has concluded that there is currently insufficient evidence to establish a link between use of ibuprofen, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and contracting or worsening of COVID-19.
Patients can take paracetamol or ibuprofen when self-medicating for symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever and headache, and should follow NHS advice if they have any questions or if symptoms get worse. 

Please see the MHRA news story for more information.
 

Latest clinical pathways and SOPs

You are advised to review the most up to date clinical pathways and Standard  Operating Procedures (SOPs), which is available here and is updated in real time. This includes the latest guidance on learning disabilities and/or autism care, and children and young people’s care.
 
 

Message from LAS: Guidance for GPs re Emergency Ambulance Requests

ACTION: Read the full guidance here

With the outbreak of Coronavirus, the London Ambulance Service (LAS) is currently seeing unprecedented demand for services, and knows that, despite the measures in place, the peak of the pandemic may still be to come. With London facing one of its greatest public health challenges of modern times, at the LAS we are working harder than ever to provide lifesaving help to Londoners most in need as soon as possible.
 
You must read the guidance in full using the link above, but here are the key points:
 
·         Always consider whether the patient can make their own way or if other arrangements can be made to take them to hospital or other healthcare facility. If that is possible, ensure they have advice on calling 999 if they deteriorate en route.
 

  • Ensure all GPs have the details of the HCP line number. Do not display the number where it is visible to patients.
  • When calling the HCP line, you will be asked to confirm location and contact details twice, it is very important that we dispatch to the correct location and can call back if the call is terminated for any reason.
  • When calling the HCP line if delegation is unavoidable, please ensure the individual making the call is able to answer triage questions about the patient’s condition. Please use the booking checklist to ensure they have all the information we require.
  • If you are unsure of the response required for your patient this can be discussed with a clinician in our Clinical Hub
  • During the Covid-19 pandemic, the only patient escort permitted is the essential carer of a vulnerable adult, or parent/guardian of a child.

 
Service changes

ACTION: NB as always, you are advised to review the full list of service changes regularly, which is updated here in real time. As given above, the password is NWLCovid-19.
 
Message from Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust: Temporary changes to out-patient audiology services
 
Out-patient appointments

We have switched to virtual appointments (by telephone or video), or where clinical teams feel that it’s safe to do so, rearranged or cancelled appointments.
 
Patients should attend their appointments if they do not hear from us.
 

Replacement hearing aid batteries and tubing

We will post replacement batteries. We will not need a patient’s old battery or battery request book.
 
We will post tubing for custom made earmoulds and micro-tubes with instructions.
 
Patients can request replacement batteries and tubing as follows:

These are monitored 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Lost hearing aids

Patients can use the contact details above to request a replacement. 

Repairs
  • Patients should include a note stating what the issue is and post their hearing aid to:
  • Royal Free Hospital patients: Audiology 1st Floor, Back of Clinic 5, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG
  • Barnet or Chase Farm Hospital patients: Audiology, Zone N, First Floor, Chase Farm Hospital, The Ridgeway, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 8JL

Hearing aids will be returned by recorded delivery.
 
Please advise your patients to include their name, DOB and NHS number (if known) when contacting the service.
 

For information: RE Scrubs, gowns, alginate bags and linen cages - Letter from Simon Corben (Head of Profession, NHS Estates)

This letter was sent to chief executives, medical directors, estates and facilities directors, directors of nursing, EPRR leads and DIPCs and infection control leads. You can read the full letter here.

It is important that organisations manage stocks carefully, and organisations should ensure they are not disposing of reusable products or surgical gowns. They should also avoid holding excess linen stock on shelves: this needs to be released back into the system… read more.