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9 July 2020

All documents can be found here.

Dear colleague

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

You can view the North West London password-protected GP extranet homepage using the details below.

As always, you are advised to review the full list of Covid-19-related service changes on a regular basis, to ensure you have not missed any notices.

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

Password: NWLCovid-19

Today’s update includes:

  • Message from DHSC: shielding update
  • PPE: NHSE reminder re Cardinal Health Type IIR masks alert
  • Message from LNWHT re infectious disease triage
  • Transfer of current DsDNA and ENA assays to the Bio-RAD, Bioplex 2200 Luminex platform
  • Message to all staff re Infection Control Procedures
  • Can you help NHS Blood and Transplant service with Covid-19 plasma donation?

 

Message from DHSC: shielding update

ACTION: Read the shield update letter in full here

We appreciate how much work has gone into shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from Covid-19. Since writing to you on 22 June to outline planned changes to the government’s guidance, we have received additional advice from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). This letter provides three key updates since that communication.

  • Annex 1 sets out key points about the updated guidance the Government has now published which applies from 6 July 2020, as well as information on maintaining the shielded patient list (SPL).
  • Annex 2 sets out key points about local lockdown measures and how they relate to shielding and protecting people who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable.
  • Annex 3 provides details on what this guidance means in relation to children and young people and how we expect this guidance to be implemented. In summary, the updated guidance confirms that the majority of children currently considered clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 will be able to be removed from the SPL following consultation with their specialist clinician or GP. All children and young people currently identified as clinically extremely vulnerable should now be reviewed and, where appropriate, removed from the SPL. Please ensure this information is cascaded to and implemented by clinicians in your organisation.

 

PPE: NHSE reminder re Cardinal Health Type IIR masks alert

ACTION: The MHRA recommends that all lots of Type IIR Mask from the supplier Cardinal Health (NPC: BWM028, MPC: AT74535UK, and all lots of AT74535UK) are disposed of locally. If you’re left with very low stock, contact the original supplier and/or North West London PPE team

You may have received an Important Customer Alert about Cardinal Health Type IIR masks on 26 June 2020. The product affected is the Type IIR Mask from the supplier Cardinal Health (NPC: BWM028, MPC: AT74535UK, and applies to all lots of AT74535UK).

The MHRA recommends that all lots of this product are disposed of locally following complaints and ongoing monitoring. Risks include:

  • There is a risk to staff wearing the mask if the foam strip on the mask flakes and enters their airway or mouth.
  • There have also been complaints of the ties and/or stitching coming away from the mask.

If your practice is close to running out of masks as a result of this, you should contact the supplier you originally received this product from for further stock, i.e. the wholesaler or the Local Resilience Forum (LRF), and the North West London PPE team. For emergency supply, providers can contact their LRF who have PPE stock available, or the NSDR.  

PPE Portal order limits for general practice and social care providers

In addition to the above, practices can also register and place orders for PPE via the Portal. After considering the stock and demand levels of customers invited to the PPE Portal, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have adjusted the order limits based on size and type of provider. The NHS.net issues around receiving the eBay confirmation emails has now been resolved to allow registration on the Portal.

More information is available on the DHSC PPE Portal guidance page and the Portal customer service team can be reached on 0800 876 6802 for enquiries or registration support.

 

Message from LNWHT re infectious disease triage

ACTION: Click here and scroll down as usual to read two letters from LNWUHT regarding the new triage process for infectious diseases appointments at Northwick Park, Central Middlesex Hospital, or Ealing Hospital.

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust has made some changes to the process for booking Infectious Diseases appointments. There will be a triage, performed by the Infectious Diseases consultants. The team will then either send patients directly for a diagnostic test or for an outpatient appointment. Read the letters in full.

 

Transfer of current DsDNA and ENA assays to the Bio-RAD, Bioplex 2200 Luminex platform

ACTION: Read the letter in full here

North West London Pathology has written a letter to provide GPs with an update on the following points:

  • Double-stranded DNA (DsDNA) assay
  • Extractable Nuclear Antigen (ENA) assay
  • Go live date for the above

 

Message to all staff re Infection Control Procedures

ACTION: Read full message from NW London Accountable Officer and Chairs here

As life starts to return to a new normal, we are writing to you today to stress that the threat of Covid-19 is still very much present. As practices, hospitals and other NHS sites across the sector resume elective procedures, we are seeing an increase in infection rates in staff, as has been demonstrated by the local outbreak at Hillingdon Hospital which has resulted in staff illness and the temporary pause of emergency admissions. This means more staff are needing to self-isolate in some areas under the test and trace guidelines. It is absolutely imperative that we comply with the infection control procedures we have put in place across our sites for the safety of colleagues and patients. Read more.

 

Can you help NHS Blood and Transplant service with Covid-19 plasma donation?

ACTION: Share donation information with patients, and consider donating yourself. Click here to find out more.

NHS Blood and Transplant needs GP and practice support for convalescent plasma donation.

The antibody-rich plasma of people who have recovered from Covid-19 can be transfused into people who are struggling to develop their own immune response.

NHSBT is seeking your support in two ways:

  • Donate yourself: GPs and NHS staff had higher infection rates, early access to tests, and a personal commitment, which has made them invaluable and committed potential donors.
  • Share donation information with patients: add the campaign to your websites, put up posters (see attached), and tell patients about the benefits of donating. 

If you’re a GP, practice nurse or NHS employee who has had coronavirus or the symptoms, and live near a donor centre, please offer to donate by calling 0300 123 23 23. When you say you work for the NHS, you will be prioritised.

Posters, web images, and other resources are available here. More information is available here.