General Practice is open
As we head into the second lockdown in England, the Royal College of GPs have launched a new resource for GP practices urging patients to continue accessing primary care services when they need to. General practice is open – and has been throughout the pandemic – but because of Coronavirus the way patients are seen in primary care has changed.
Find out more about GP is open
Latest from the RCGP vlog
Welcome to RCGP Mentoring
10 February 2021
RCGP Mentoring is a platform where RCGP members can support one another in their career growth and development. The platform matches future or current GP mentees with mentors possessing their desired interests, skills and expertise and vice versa.
Watch more vlogs
Find more COVID-19 vlogs on our YouTube channel
Back to Top
From the RCGP blog
- GPs and patients must be at the centre health reforms, Professor Martin Marshall, RCGP Chair of Council (12 February 2021).
- Welcoming our new AiTs to Team GP, Dr Adam Thomas and Dr Sophie Lumley, RCGP AiT Network Co-Chairs, (12 February 2021).
- Outreach to reassure about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, Dr Sajad Ahmand (12 February 2021).
- Mental health clinicians in general practice, Dr Catriona Morton, RCGP Scotland Deputy Chair of Policy (12 February 2021).
- Mentorship, member engagement and medical student recognition, Dr Laurence Dorman, RCGPNI Chair (12 February 2021).
- We need to do more to support old fashioned - and highly effective - public health measures, Professor Martin Marshall, RCGP Chair of Council (5 February 2021).
Read older posts on the RCGP blog
Back to Top
COVID-19 articles in RCGP publications
Back to Top
Updates from the RCGP Research and Surveillance Centre
GP records and long- term effects of COVID-19
11 March 2021
Coding within GP records is obviously crucial to enable us to understand the true prevalence of this disease, and to ensure adequate funding for general practice.
Our Research and Surveillance Centre has put together this excellent ‘crib sheet’ that we hope will help.
Please start recording Post-COVID-19 syndrome in the records of people with symptoms lasting over 12 weeks. Before 12 weeks, whilst investigating the patient, if you suspect their symptoms are related to COVID-19, a code of “ongoing symptomatic covid-19” should be used.
It is also really important to add both diagnoses as a “problem” and to put in the correct onset date.
Work is underway to understand which patients are most at risk of developing long term effects of COVID-19, with the aim of developing evidence-based, patient-centred interventions which could alleviate some of the burden of this disease.
However, this will be challenging to audit if cases can’t be identified. In addition, if we do not accurately count every patient with long term effects of COVID-19, resources may not adequately be allocated for their ongoing care
Following the national guidance written by RCGP/SIGN and NICE, the medical terminology now in use is as follows:
- Acute Covid-19 infection: signs and symptoms of COVID-19: ≤4 weeks.
- Ongoing symptomatic COVID-19: signs and symptoms of COVID-19: 4-12 weeks.
- Post-COVID-19 syndrome: signs and symptoms that develop during or after COVID-19, lasting >12 weeks and not explained by another diagnosis. (This diagnosis can be considered before 12 weeks if all other alternative diagnoses have been ruled out).
Wherever possible please code as many symptoms as possible.
The RSC is always keen to recruit more practices for its valuable work.
More from the Research and Surveillance Centre.
Back to Top
Letters and statements from RCGP
Back to Top
The College is in the media almost daily, providing information for GP patients and representing the interests of the profession. RCGP Chair Martin Marshall works with College officers and GPs around the country to ensure that the pressures on general practice are featured on TV and radio programmes, as well as in national and local print media.
15 million vaccinations
College Chair Martin Marshall was interviewed on BBC News yesterday evening (14 February 2021), responding to the news that 15 million people have now received their first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine. Martin said that it was a fantastic achievement, and stressed that around 75% of the vaccinations have taken place in general practice. He also said that despite achieving this target, it was still important for people to continue to adhere to social distancing measures, and lockdown restrictions. Clips of Martin’s interview were also used in news bulletins on over 40 regional BBC Radio stations yesterday.
The College also issued a statement in response to the achievement of the 15 million target. Martin thanked GPs and teams for their hard work to make this possible in such a short space of time, particularly given the logistical challenges and current workload pressures. You can read the full statement.
A Fresh Approach to General Practice
A feature in GP Online focuses on Martin's address to members during last week's 'A Fresh Approach to General Practice' conference. You can read his full speech.
If you missed the conference, full content is available to purchase on-demand until 12 August so you can watch and digest in your own time. Register for access.
Patients over 70
The College’s response to the NHS announcement calling for over 70s who haven’t yet had their vaccine invitation to get in touch with their GP, features in numerous media outlets including The Guardian and BBC News Online.
Follow @RCGP on Twitter for the latest updates.
Back to Top
Latest press releases
Read earlier press releases in our news section
Back to Top