Update
Violence against medical staff going unreported
More than 50% of UK doctors have witnessed violence against practice staff, according to the BMA.
More than half of the 596 doctors who took part in the BMA survey had witnessed physical and verbal abuse against nurses and receptionists. The 2007 survey showed that one in ten doctors had been physically assaulted. Yet GPs were the second most likely group to be attacked after junior doctors.
Reporting incidence was low, despite doctors identifying violence as a problem in the workplace. Calls for further training were made, as a lack of appropriate training was identified as a problem by the BMA.
According to the respondents, the main catalyst for workplace violence was dissatisfaction with the service, including frustration with long waiting times and refusal to prescribe medicines.
BMA Chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum described the figures as “worrying” and repeated calls for a “zero tolerance approach” to violence against NHS staff.
The survey came as the Scottish Parliament extended its law to stop assaults against NHS staff.
In January, the Emergency Workers Act was expanded to include protection for health professionals working in the community. The Act makes it an offence to assault, obstruct or hinder NHS staff responding to an emergency.
Practices prepare for LINks
Practices across the UK are gearing up for the launch of LINks in April, following a year of preparation.
Local Involvement Networks (LINks) will require GPs to increase their consultations with their communities regarding local health services.
Key points:
- New duties to respond to patients and public.
- Patients given greater say on regulation matters.
- Cover health issues and social services.
- Networks set up along local authority boundaries.
- Managed by councils.
- Stronger scrutiny powers.
It was announced last year that LINks would replace patient forums as part of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill.
Singing away the 'winter blues'
As winter sets, in 5% of the UK population will slip in to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
The condition leaves sufferers de-motivated, lethargic and unable to maintain momentum levels which, in the case of busy practice staff, may affect patients.
Although practice managers do not have to “raise the mood”, it will make for a better practice if SAD is tackled from the inside.
Comfortable and warm work environments combat the effects of SAD and motivate staff to work through their winter blues.
So practice teams should:
- Make sure the heating is at an optimum 20 to 24 degrees.
- Communicate and raise spirits.
- Consider starting a weekly cake morning.
- Ensure the practice is well lit.
- Encourage exercise so some daylight is sought.
- Organise flexible winter working.
Get advice on SAD at www.sada.org.uk
Practices with salaried GPs do better at QOF
Practices that employ salaried GPs earned more Quality and Outcomes Framework points than those without, according to a study. Researchers from the National Primary Care Research and Development Centre found that salaried GPs were concentrated in more affluent areas, which generally score more highly than those in deprived areas. Practices with at least one salaried GP scored an average of 1,017 points compared to 993 points for those practices with principals only.
E-Primary Care newsletter
Healthcare worker wins £5,000 compensation
A healthcare assistant won £5,000 in compensation for being injured while helping a colleague who was assisting a patient. He had not been told by employers how to deal with the patient. The patient became aggressive while being dressed in an Intensive Therapy Unit. The assistant went to help and sustained a thumb injury which prevented him from returning to work for two months.
Croner Consulting
GP practices to be licensed
All GP practices in England will require a “licence to operate” by April 2010, announced the DH. The Care Quality Commission, a “super regulator” that will be fully operational in October, will monitor practices and ensure that they have licenses to operate. Consultation on registration requirements begins in 2008.
Take action
Practices can disseminate choice questionnaire packs to patients between 21 January and 28 March as part of the GP Patient Survey 2007/8. All packs were posted in January.
Risk Review
Check out Risk Review, a monthly free newsletter produced by MPS Risk Consulting, covering the latest news on risk management, complaints handling, clinical governance and courses and events. To subscribe, email collette.white@mps.org.uk.
Guidance
The latest National Diabetes Audit provides GPs with information to help them commission the right services for patients with diabetes in their area.
Campaigns
The DH wants practice teams to CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT. The campaign was launched as part of the Respiratory and Hand Hygiene Programme. It will run until Spring 2008 and surgeries are encouraged to display posters.