CHANGES TO REQUIREMENT FOR FIT NOTES TO EVIDENCE CLAIMS FOR STATUTORY SICK PAY AND ACCESS TO BENEFITS (EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE AND UNIVERSAL CREDIT).
With effect from the 17 December 2021. These will be time limited and last up to, and including, 26 January 2022: The self-certification period for Statutory Sick Pay will be extended to 28 days (from its current 7) There will be easements within the benefits system to enable claimants to access benefits without the need for a fit note. The extension of the self-certification period will be widely publicised andupdated information will be available on NIDirect in relation to this....
SUSPENSION OF THE 15 MINUTE WITH MRNA VACCINE FOR COVID 19
The four Chief Medical Officers of the UK and lead DCMOs for vaccines have considered whether, in the light of the very considerable need to speed up vaccination and boosting in the light of the omicron variant the 15 minute wait for some mRNA Covid-19 vaccines should be temporally suspended. [divi_wpfd_single_file file_params="{%22selected_file_id%22:34088,%22selected_category_id%22:113,%22selected_file_name%22:%22HSS MD 82 2021 Suspension of the 15 minute with MRNA Vaccine for COVID...
Suspension of the 15-minute wait for vaccination with mRNA vaccine for COVID-19: UK CMOs’ opinion
The Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of the UK and lead Deputy Chief Medical Officers (DCMOs) for vaccines have considered whether, in the light of the very considerable need to speed up vaccination and boosting in response to Omicron variant, the 15-minute wait for some mRNA COVID-19 vaccines should be suspended. Their view, having considered the views of the COVID-19 Vaccine Benefit-Risk Expert Working Group (EWG), NHS planners and others is that with the low rates of anaphylaxis, in the...
GPNI Clinical Update : Common Challenges in Paediatric Orthopaedics
We are delighted to have Gillian Armstrong, FCP (Advanced Practitioner Physiotherapist) and Carolyn Geddis, Paediatric Orthopaedic Consultant BHSCT join us for a session of common and important paediatric orthopaedic presentations.[divi_wpfd_single_file file_params="{%22selected_file_id%22:29934,%22selected_category_id%22:128,%22selected_file_name%22:%22GPNI Clinical Update - Common Challenges in Paediatric Orthopaedics%22,%22categoryPath%22:%22Webinars%22}" _builder_version="4.14.2"...
GPNI Interpreting Results: Haematology
In the third of our interpreting results series, we have Dr Gary Benson, Consultant Haematologist, who will be discussing a practical approach to interpreting common Haematology results.
Infection Prevention and Control for Seasonal Respiratory Infections in Health and Care settings (including SARS-CoV-2 for) Winter 2021/2022
Infection Prevention and Control for Seasonal Respiratory Infections in Health and Care settings (including SARS-CoV-2 for) Winter 2021/2022 Since February 2021 Northern Ireland has been following the “COVID-19: guidance for maintaining services within health and care settings – infection prevention and control recommendations” However this guidance has now been updated and replaced with the ‘Infection Prevention and Control for Seasonal Respiratory Infections in Health and...
UK vaccine response to the Omicron variant: JCVI advice
Booster vaccination eligibility should be expanded to include all adults aged 18 years to 39 years. Booster vaccination should now be offered in order of descending age groups, with priority given to the vaccination of older adults and those in a COVID-19 at-risk group. Booster vaccination should not be given within 3 months of completion of the primary course. Severely immunosuppressed individuals who have completed their primary course (3 doses) should be offered a booster dose with a...
HSS(MD) 78/2021 – IMMEDIATE ACTIONS IN RESPONSE TO NEW VARIANT (B.1.1.529) SARS-COV-2 – Omicron
The variant has a number of mutations in key locations of the genome which suggest it may be highly transmissible and may be able to evade immunity from current vaccines and prior infection. Local epidemiology in South Africa suggests fast growth in a population who had high levels of immunity. Anyone who has arrived in Northern Ireland or travelled through any of the countries listed above in the past 10 days should self-isolate immediately for 10 full days after arrival. All...
GPNI Prescribing: Managing Polypharmacy
We are delighted to be joined by Professor Peter Passmore, Professor of Ageing and Geriatric Medicine at Queens University Belfast. He will be discussing polyphamacy in the primary care setting, including reviewing medications, de-prescribing and combinations to avoid.[divi_wpfd_single_file file_params="{%22selected_file_id%22:27613,%22selected_category_id%22:129,%22selected_file_name%22:%22Managing Polypharmacy%22,%22categoryPath%22:%22New category%22}" _builder_version="4.14.0"...
HSS(MD) 75/2021 PATIENTS REQUIRING ASTRAZENECA VACCINE AS A BOOSTER
The JCVI advises a preference for an mRNA vaccine as the booster dose, irrespective of which vaccine was given in the primary schedule. There is good evidence that these vaccines will provide a strong booster response and all patients should be strongly encouraged to receive an mRNA vaccine as their booster dose. However, there will be cases where mRNA vaccines cannot be offered e.g. due to clinical contraindication, or may be refused, thereby leaving the patient without receiving any...
GPNI have brought together a large multi-disciplinary working group to generate and collate the most up to date and relevant information for Northern Ireland Primary Care. Below you will find important updates regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic along with primary care specific guidance. This is a developing resource which will be updated as new information and guidelines become available.
If you would like to contribute to GPNI you can email our editorial team on [email protected] we are a multi-disciplinary team and welcome contributions from all elements of primary care.
