Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Doctors call for support in Xmas vaccination drive

By NADEEM BADSHAH

GPs will see patients and also administer Covid vaccine


LEADING GPs have called for support to help them deal with “workload pressures” during the upcoming rollout of a coronavirus vaccine.

Family doctors are set for a hectic few months with a Covid-19 jab expected to be unveiled in December if the Pfizer/BioNTech option is approved by health regulators. It is expected the vaccines being developed will require two doses, around three to four weeks apart, and could be given to people in large venues, including conference halls and schools.

GP surgeries will be able to opt-in to the vaccination service, sparking fears over the threat to patient care with services to be scaled back so they can administer the jab to millions of people. Family medics are also set to see a surge in people wanting the flu vaccine with people aged over 50 able to get one free of charge from December 1, which could impact patients getting an appointment.

Dr Krishna Kasaraneni, a GP in Sheffield, Yorkshire, told Eastern Eye: “The Covid-19 vaccination campaign will be unprecedented in its scale, but GPs – who are experts in mass immunisation – will want to play a leading role vaccinating those in their communities, building on the trusted relationships they already have with their patients.

“No one is under any illusion that a vaccination programme of this scale will be an easy feat, and GPs will require support nationally, as well as cooperation with various colleagues locally and most importantly, the understanding of patients.”

Dr Kasaraneni, British Medical Association’s (BMA’s) GP committee executive team member, added: “While the details of specific vaccines and dates are yet to be confirmed, once a safe, approved vaccine is available, we would urge all those who are eligible to get themselves protected once they are invited to do so.”

Surgeries offered 1.5 million more appointments in September compared to September 2019, figures show.

GP surgeries have been told by NHS England to start preparing for the Covid vaccination programme from this week (December 1). Practices will be given “at least 10 days notice” of the start of the campaign, it said.

Dr Kamal Sidhu, a GP in Durham and chair of the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, told Eastern Eye: “There is a lot of planning about vaccination already ongoing behind the scenes. GP

practices have already submitted plans in collaboration with each other via primary care networks as to how they plan to deliver the Covid vaccines. We are also undertaking the mammoth task of a winter flu vaccination drive already extended to millions of more patients than we normally do.

“Hence, as we pool our staff to deliver the largest mass vaccination in the history of NHS, we will need to deprioritise some of the work especially administrative work and some of the routine care.”

Dr Sidhu added: “The focus is to stand down the work that does not impact direct clinical care but there may well be some delays when limited number of staff – especially nursing staff – is deployed at the chosen vaccination sites which are likely to be needing to open seven days a week.

“But, we do not want patients to delay seeking care if they are unwell or have worrying symptoms of serious illnesses such as cancer.”

It comes after research found more than half of doctors are wasting at least an hour a day on administration tasks. The health service is being urged to let medics communicate with patients securely over WhatsApp and provide staff with simpler technology so more time can be devoted to patient care.

The NHS review found that medics working in the community spent at least a third of their time on administration and patient coordination.

It called for changes including single logins across multiple computers.

Dr Farah Jameel is a BMA GP committee executive team member and a GP in London. She said: “A safe, effective vaccine will be decisive in helping the country – and indeed the world – recover from the  devastating effects of Covid-19 and GPs will want to help as many of their patients as possible get protected from this deadly virus.

“Of course, we are all too aware of the workload pressures that faced general practice even before the pandemic. In order to launch a widespread campaign to protect our patients, communities and the nation as a whole, we will need to prioritise this and the immediate health needs of patients.

“This will have an impact on some routine services, and we would kindly ask our patients to be patient and understanding during this time.

“To be clear, however, those who need to see a GP or other member of practice staff for a health concern should not hesitate in contacting their practice and an appointment – on the phone, digitally or in person where appropriate – will be made if necessary.”

The NHS said local pharmacies will be used to roll out the coronavirus injection where GP coverage is not enough.

Professor Mahendra Patel, a pharmacist and the national BAME community and pharmacy lead for University of Oxford’s PRINCIPLE Covid-19 treatment trial, said: “Who is the only premise open seven days a week and providing health care advice? It’s the pharmacy. These are the foot soldiers we need to use more in terms of the resource and the network.”

The Department of Health and Social Care has said the NHS has vast experience delivering widespread vaccination programmes and an enormous amount of planning has taken place to ensure the health service stands ready to roll out a Covid-19 vaccine including an expanded workforce.

More For You

Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less
Navroop Singh

Navroop Singh was convicted of five charges including rape and was sentenced on July 4 at Isleworth Crown Court. (Photo credit: Metropolitan Police)

Man jailed for life over rape and attempted rape in west London

A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for rape, attempted rape and firearm offences following a Metropolitan Police investigation in west London.

Navroop Singh, of Mellow Lane East, Hayes, was convicted of five charges including rape and was sentenced on Friday, July 4 at Isleworth Crown Court. He must serve a minimum of 14 years.

Keep ReadingShow less