Kenny's Update 8th of April

April 8th Lincolnshire LDC Update Number 52

I hope everyone enjoyed the much needed time of over the Easter Break. The weather was kind and great to get out in the sunshine.

In view of the update on second vaccinations, this week’s update is being sent earlier than usual.

For NHS Practices, you will have all received letter 8 and the announcement on Monday 29thMarch, that the target for UDA activity had changed from 45 % to 60 % has brought mixed emotions. There was undoubted concern regarding the lateness of the publication of these figures but a sense of relief that this figure was not greater. I would like to give particular thanks to Jason and Shawn representing the OCDO & BDA respectively for all their endeavours leading up to this announcement. I cannot begin to imagine how difficult and frustrating these negotiations must have been but it is good to see an alignment of both organisations.

In the LDC’s opinion, a good outcome has been achieved and one that has the potential to be built upon. A 60 % UDA and 80% UOA target is hopefully achievable for most practices. Patient and staff safety is paramount and infection control procedures (IPC) should be maintained at previous levels . The continuation of the 36% threshold should mean only very few practices will fall under this figure and thus avoid the damaging financial implications this brings. The knowledge that the time scale is for 6 months means that practices can plan their work schedule. Holidays can be booked. Bookings is Scotland will soar … but beware of the midges in August! Lastly, contract reform is considered with flexible commissioning a key part of this. On this subject I enclose the Dental Commissioning toolkit. Worth a read to see the direction of travel for the commissioning of dental services.

Second Vaccinations

Sharon and I literally have been inundated with requests for dental teams wanting to know why staff members have not been contacted regarding their second vaccinations. Typically some in the staff have been notified, others have not and naturally there is anxiety in case they have been missed. I spoke with the CCG today Wednesday highlighting the current issues dental teams are experiencing regards second vaccinations and commented that the communication process is not ideal.

Here is the reply to the Chairs of Pharma., Optom. and Dentistry

“Hi All,

Following the successful deployment of the COVID-19 first dose vaccinations to health and social care staff we have embarked on 2nd doses for staff in the last week or two. We are aware that on occasion the odd staff member may be slipping through the booking process in PCNs where the 2nd dose appointment was not given at the time of the 1st.

2nd doses should be given between Day 77 – Day 84 for both AZ & Pfizer vaccines.

I have met with colleagues today and have agreed the following:

1. For those who were called at short notice on the weekend of 16th/17th January to take up 1st doses (Pfizer) at the 1st Coastal PCN sites (Mablethorpe & Skegness) and are reaching Day 84 this weekend – we can provide the following contact details for the booking team for you to escalate directly to with a name and contact number for the member of staff, they will then contact the member of staff to book an appointment for this weekend lccg.ladmscovidqueries@nhs.net . This is only for this group of staff who were vaccinated on that weekend and not to be shared widely as this will not be the routine route of escalation for staff to book appointments.

2. Escalation in the longer term – if a staff member has not been offered an appointment by Day 75 after their 1st Dose please could their details (or details of their employer/premises) by sent to lccg.primarycarelincs@nhs.net . Please use this address for escalation, not my personal email, as this is manned 08:00 – 18:00 Monday – Friday and the staff will be able to pass the details to the relevant PCN for action straight away.

I hope this all makes sense but do let me know if you have any questions.”

Victoria Townshend

Lincolnshire STP/Hosted by United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Wyvern House | Kesteven Street | Lincoln LN5 7LH

I hope this guidance is clear.

Mental Health

The last 12 months has tested everyone’s mental health but hopefully a corner has now been turned. If you have concerns try and talk to someone else, whether this is your partner, a family member, a close friend. Someone you can trust ….. Often you find the other person may have a problem too and you help each other. If you need support or guidance there are many organisations out there, including the excellent resource at the BDA. There are others including the British Dental Guild and the Dentist Health Support Trust Confidential is another one and this is the link https://www.confidental-helpline.org/

Orthodontics

A major concern both in Primary Care and Secondary Care. The loss of Lincoln Orthodontics in 2019 and Castle Orthodontics in February of this year resulted in a significant negative impact on patient care. There are also other locations in the County were services are reduced. It means in Lincolnshire, practitioners have very limited options where to send patients who require orthodontic treatment. There are lots of meetings going on and we will keep everyone up to date when more information is available.

And Finally …………….

Depending on news, it may be that the LDC update will now be sent out every other week. We shall keep this under review. The LDC can always be contacted at lincsldc@gmail.com and we welcome input from all members of dental teams

Have a good week and I hope those with concerns regards their second vaccinations get sorted.

Best wishes

Kenny Hume Chair Lincolnshire LDC