Vaccinations, Letter From PM, GOS, Staff Isolation And FODO News

3 January 2022

We have 6 items for you today:

1. Urgent Vaccination Update from HVCCG
   
   We are advised that a number of planned vaccination walk-in sessions in Hertfordshire and west Essex this week have been cancelled. They say “Significant demand is leading to unacceptably long queues for the public and causing traffic disruption around our larger vaccination centres.” They are also looking for health care professionals who have clinical vaccination experience to join them urgently. The update can be found in full HERE.
2. GOS to Remain a National Service
   The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England & NHS Improvement (NHSE-I) have confirmed that General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) in England will remain a national demand-led service under a nationally agreed GOS contract and nationally negotiated fees and grants, with no local variation. Under the new structure NHS England will devolve the management of GOS contracts to Integrated Care Boards (which will replace CCGs).  Further information can be found HERE.
3. Letter from the Prime Minister
   A letter from the Prime Minister to all staff working in the NHS can be downloaded, HERE. The NHS have asked for it to be shared with all staff in your practice.
4. Guidance on Staff Isolation
   
   ABDO have published updated UKHSA guidance on NHS staff, student and volunteer self-isolation and return to work, HERE.
5. Hertfordshire Local Resilience Forum Newsletter
   Can be found HERE, including local updates on vaccinations and testing.
6. FODO News
   Is HERE, including a “Covid update”, “Free flu vaccine clarification” and “Free wellbeing coaching support for primary eye care”.

Kind regards

Herts LOC