Q&A

I would follow the following steps:

• Check your SMART card is updated to allow you access.
• The java software on your computer may need to be updated. If you are java 1.4 you will need to ask IT to upgrade you.
• Check your internet browser is up to date
• If the above does not work, a couple of practices have had to have IT out to sort the issue

Go to https://www.gpes.nhs.uk with your SMART card logged in. This will take a short period of time to authenticate.

If you have not yet registered I would suggest that you do. When setting the practice preferences, it is recommended that you accept ‘automatic extraction for anonymous data’.

No, TPP has confirmed If a vaccination has been mapped to a Read code, then it will be extracted correctly. To check which vaccinations are mapped to Read codes, go to Setup > Vaccinations > Available Vaccinations.

A link to the latest document is available on the EQUIP website

The Read Code that is recommended as the most appropriate Code to use is:

6853. Ca cervix screen – not wanted

Once the three letters have been sent by the  HA, you would have fulfilled the criteria. But the majority of practices normally have a policy in place where the practice sends one final letter inviting the patient in to either have a smear or to discuss reasons why they do not wish to take up the offer of the smear. This demonstrates that as a practice you have done all within your control to try and help the non-responders.

What practices find in general is a letter from the practice with information enclosed regarding how important this test is to their wellbeing increases the up-take.

It may be that you send a number of letters over a period of approximately three months and audit the up-take to see if it is beneficial. The average % of exception reporting for smears in Essex for practices is around 3.7%.

Yes the disclaimer once signed will exclude the patient for 5 years with the Clacton CS but QOF requires the exceptions to be entered every 15mths. Set a recall system up so to re-enter the code at the time of expiry or they will re-appear in the ‘work to do list’. The following exception codes are available for QOF

Version 2                                                                               CVT3

6853. Ca cervix screen – not wanted 6853.    Ca cervix screen – not wanted

685L.    Cervical smear refused                            XaFs3 Cervical smear refused

8I6K.     Cervical smear not indicated                  XaK29            Cervical smear not indicated

9O8Q.  Cerv.smear disclaimer received              9O8Q.  Cerv.smear disclaimer received

No. It has to be face to face advice. There is the letter on the EQUIP website that can be sent and if they return the slip at the bottom declining the invite you could exclude them by scanning the reply on to their record. You can call them and offer them an appointment and again if they decline you can exception report them but clearly states in the guidance book the advice is a face to face consultation.

For patients to show in the HF 003 and 004 indicators you require two Read codes, one from each cluster. They are as follows:

To remove those from the indicator you would need to record a not indicated for both, if you have already done this then let me know.

CTV3

XaJ5m Angiotensin II receptor antagonist not indicated

And

XaIIf    Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor not indicated

Version 2

8I6C.   Angiotensin II receptor antagonist not indicated

And

8I64.    Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor not indicated