NHS England instructs GPs to avoid hospital admissions this winter

GP practices should be working with complex patients to "actively avoid hospital admissions" this winter, according to NHS England.

In a letter to ICBs and trusts, NHSE set out the actions necessary to ensure delivery of "safe, dignified and high-quality care" this winter, which must be an "overriding priority".

There was a particular focus on the winter vaccination campaign, with NHS England urging providers to "make every possible effort" to boost vaccine uptake among patient-facing staff.

The letter also stressed the importance of promoting the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, which from this month practices began administering to over-75s and pregnant women as an essential service under the GP contract.

"This is a year-round offer but its promotion ahead of winter by health professionals is vital, particularly to those at highest risk," NHSE said.

NHS England also urged local commissioners to take a "whole-system approach to managing winter demand". 

The letter asked ICBs to "ensure the proactive identification and management of people with complex needs and long-term conditions so care is optimised ahead of winter". 

"Primary care and community services should be working with these patients to actively avoid hospital admissions," NHSE added.

These patients should also be offered ‘alternatives to hospital attendance’ as they may be "better served with a community response".

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Source: Management in Practice, 19 September 2024