Exeter Sessional GPs Group

1^st February 2005

Guest Speaker. 1

Pensions Concerns. 1

Future ESGPG Meetings. 1

Family Planning Spring Update. 2

HPE Study Days. 2

Vacancies. 2

Laryngeal Mask Airways. 2

New meeting time. 2

Committee. 2

Guest Speaker

Dr William Bird (GP Berkshire and Clinical Director Meteorological Office, Exeter) was the guest speaker for the evening. Dr Bird gave a very interesting presentation on “How the Weather Affects our Health”. He provided a number of graphs showing the number of hospital admissions over a one-year period for specific illness states (COPD, hypothermia, cardiac failure, asthma). He discussed the factors relating to these admissions and their predictability from one year to the next. Dr Bird mentioned the current trials involved in modelling COPD hospital admissions and how these models can be used to alert PCTs, Practices and high risk patients of impending exacerbations. He also explained the association with some major recent asthma outbreaks (London 1994, Addenbrooks 2002) and thunderstorms.

Pensions Concerns

Concern was again raised by members of the Group that there appears to be uncertainty as to who, after April 2005, will make the employer contribution to locum pensions (Practices or PCTs). It was agreed that in view of this uncertainty the LMC should be contacted, and if necessary, written correspondence from the Group to the LMC highlighting its concerns. Any future change resulting in individual Practices becoming the employer contributor would in theory necessitate a 12.6% (90% of 14%) increase in locum fees charged directly to the Practice. Some members have already been in discussions with Practices highlighting the need to increase their locum rates in accordance with these possible changes.

Following the meeting Dr Peter Kennerley (LMC representative for the Group) contacted members of the LMC and also Mr Paul Ham (Payments Manager, PPSA, Devon). From these discussions it appears that whilst a draft document was brought out in 2004 suggesting possible changes as to how employer contributions to locum pensions are sourced, at present no changes have been agreed and discussions are still ongoing with involvement of the GPC and BMA. The LMC have now been informed of the Group’s concerns and will liaise with the Group should any new developments arise. Dr Kennerley will update the Group on this issue at the next meeting.

Future ESGPG Meetings

1^st March - “Management of Breathlessness” Dr Nick Withers

(Respiratory Consultant, RD&E)

5^th April - “Financial and Taxation Issues for Sessional GPs”

Mr Andrew Spears (Accountant)

3^rd May - “Psychiatry Update” Dr Jeremy Speller

(Consultant Psychiatrist)

7^th June - “Abnormal Biochemical Values” Dr Morris Salzmann

(Consultant Clinical Biochemist, RD&E)

Family Planning Spring Update

A Spring Update meeting of the Devon & Cornwall Branch of the Faculty of Family Planning & Reproductive Health Care will be held at Plymouth Medical Centre, Derriford Road, Plymouth on Saturday 5^th March (9.00am-4.00pm). The course costs £70 for GPs/non faculty members and £50 for DFFP/MFFPs.

HPE Study Days

The next HPE study day meeting dates are as follows:

9^th March

7^th April (to be confirmed - possible change to 5^th April)

4^th May

5^th June

18^th July

All are welcome and it’s free. Those eligible for HPE will get funding to attend. Contact John Deacon on 01752 311972.

Vacancies

Mount Pleasant Health Centre, Exeter is looking for a salaried GP/retainer to work 4-5 sessions per week. Start date is negotiable and informal visits welcome. For more information please contact Joni Hore (Personnel Manager) or any of the partners on (01392) 270497.

Laryngeal Mask Airways

Following the recent meeting on resuscitation and the question of availability of laryngeal mask airways a Group member, Dr P Baker, had contacted the suppliers Intersurgical (01189 656300) which can provide respiratory appliances as required.

New meeting time

Please note that the meetings are now scheduled to start at 7.00pm and food arrives at 7.15pm with the guest speaker planned to commence at 7.45pm.

Committee

Dr Vik Mohan ............................................................................................... Email: mohanvik@hotmail.com

Dr Diane Baker............................................................................................. Email: diane@belbury.freeserve.co.uk

Dr Peter Kennerley (LMC Representative) ................................................... Email: peter.kennerley1@btopenworld.com

Dr Liam Kinsella .......................................................................................... Email: lkinsella@doctors.org.uk

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