Clinical Update for Primary Care Team 16 March 2023

Today's clinical meeting includes updates on the implications of the 2023 budget for NHS primary care, the SE London campaign to raise awareness of childhood immunisation, and new NICE guidance on treatments for Covid-19 in high-risk patients.

1. Budget 2023

The 2023 budget included several measures that will affect NHS staff:

Pension tax reforms. The Lifetime Allowance (LA) charge will be removed from next month and abolished entirely from April 2024. The Annual Allowance will be raised to £60,000.
Digitised NHS Health Check.
Digitising mental health services. The Government will ‘modernise and digitise’ mental health services in England.
Work Capability Assessment and Work Coaches
Increased occupational health coverage

See https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/analysis/politics/spring-budget-at-a-glance-how-it-will-affect-gps/

2. Childhood vaccination

Campaign to encourage parents and carers to get their children up to date with routine vaccinations steps up over the coming weeks. https://www.selondonics.org/wp-content/uploads/NHSE-Childhood-Immunisations-FAQs-Feb-2023.pdf

3. Covid-19 treatments

People in England at highest risk of a severe Covid-19 infection such as those who are immunosuppressed or who have other selected long-term conditions will be eligible for treatment with Paxlovid, Xevudy or RoActemra. This work should be undertaken by NH Covid-19 Medicines Delivery Units (CMDUs).

https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/nice-recommends-3-treatments-for-covid-19-in-final-draft-guidance

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