Devolved Councils: pandemic response

NORTHERN IRELAND

From the start of the pandemic, RCGPNI Chair Dr Laurence Dorman has worked closely with government officials to shape decision making for the management of the spread of COVID-19 in the community. Regular meetings have also been held with the Health Minster, and Laurence has been a consistent presence in the NI media, advocating for general practice and recognising the efforts of GPs and their teams.

RCGPNI established pathways for GPs working in COVID-19 centres to get appropriate PPE and rapid access to COVID-19 diagnostic tests. It also played a key role in promoting public health messages, reminding parents of the importance of childhood vaccinations and encouraging patients to contact their GPs with cancer concerns. Throughout the pandemic, RCGPNI actively supported members through virtual zoom meetings and webinars.

Laurence said: “GPs in Northern Ireland excelled in their response to COVID-19. Their ability to adapt and deliver entirely new services ensured our health service did not collapse. This earned respect and high praise from all levels of government – and patients who showed their appreciation for all healthcare workers with a weekly round of applause.

“RCGPNI was involved at the highest level of discussion and planning, and was able to influence key government policy, highlighting members’ concerns and advocating for best quality practice". 

WALES

RCGP Wales put general practice at the heart of Welsh Government by organising regular meetings with decision makers. The College advocated for PPE and clarity over the 111 online system, successfully campaigning for the inclusion of a link to the NHS Wales Covid symptom checker on the NHS England website, meaning patients across the UK could quickly access information and reducing unnecessary calls to 111.

Weekly blog and video Q&A sessions ensured that co-Chairs Dr Mair Hopkin and Professor Peter Saul kept members in the loop with latest updates and developments. The Members Forum has also shared best practice and provided peer support. Throughout the crisis, RCGP Wales became a go-to source for BBC Wales, ITV and S4C, a popular Welsh language TV channel.

Peter said: “It was vital to keep members informed in what the College was doing, as well as taking feedback from the frontline and making sure the big questions reached the right people as the profession rapidly responded to COVID-19. It has been a team effort.” 

SCOTLAND

RCGP Scotland has worked closely with the Scottish General Practitioners’ Committee of the BMA (SGPC) and the Scottish Government to ensure a unified and joined-up response.

The College has also been involved in the production of crucial guidance for GPs and practice teams - including three sets of FAQs on care homes for residents, staff and GP practices.

Dr Carey Lunan, RCGP Scotland Chair, appeared as the face of general practice in a Scottish Government TV campaign ‘NHS is open’,

She also achieved an RCGP ‘first’, appearing on Debate Night – BBC Scotland’s version of Question Time - where she discussed health inequalities, which remained a key priority for RCGP Scotland throughout the crisis.

The College helped to produce guidance for GPs caring for patients in deprived areas and Carey also conducted an interview with Professor Sir Michael Marmot on health inequalities in the COVID-19 landscape.

Carey said: “This pandemic has shone a light on the impact of worsening health inequalities across society, with those living in the most deprived areas being disproportionately affected. I have always believed that general practice, based in communities, offering continuity of care, coordination of care, and advocacy for our patients, has a vital role to play in addressing health inequalities and during my time as Chair of the College in Scotland I have worked to ensure that our role can be better understood and strengthened.”