The document summarizes changes to the GP contract regulations and priorities for NHS immunizations in response to COVID-19. It states that the regulations will temporarily amend core hours definitions and increase 111 direct booking minimums. It also suspends requirements like annual reviews, medication reviews, and patient feedback processes. The letter prioritizes routine childhood immunizations as well as targeted vaccines for babies, pregnant women, and those at high risk.

1. © 2020 PCC
COVID 19 – GP preparedness
NHS England and NHS Improvement has published a letter
covering:
• Changes to the GP Contract Regulations; and
• NHS Immunisations
With the aim of freeing up capacity in general practice.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-
content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/C0264-GP-
preparedness-letter-14-April-2020.pdf

2. © 2020 PCC
The planned GP contract Regulation amendments:
• Temporarily amend the definition of “core hours” to include Good
Friday, Easter Monday and bank holidays.
• Increase the minimum number of appointments available for 111 direct
booking to one per 500 patients until 30 June 2020.
• Suspend the following terms of the GP contracts during a pandemic
until 30 June 2020:
o New patient reviews
o Over-75 health checks
o Annual patient reviews, including
under QOF
o Routine medication reviews
o Clinical reviews of frailty
o Friends and family test
o Engagement with and review of
feedback from patient participation
groups
o Dispensing list cleansing

3. © 2020 PCC
The planned GP contract Regulation amendments also:
• Require NHS immunisations to be prioritised to time sensitive
vaccinations for babies, children and pregnant women:
o All routine childhood immunisations offered to babies and infants
including vaccines due at one year of age including the first MMR
dose
o All doses of targeted hepatitis B vaccines for at-risk infants should
also be offered in a timely manner
o Pertussis vaccination in pregnancy; and
o Pneumococcal vaccination for those in risk groups from 2 to 64
years of age and those aged 65 and over (subject to
supplies of PPV23 and clinical prioritisation

4. © 2020 PCC
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