The UK Health Security agency has updated their guidance on COVID-19: management of staff and exposed patients or residents in health and social care settings.

Fully vaccinated GPs and practice staff no longer need to isolate for 10 days if they are a close contact of an Omicron Covid case. 

Below is a summary of COVID-19 vaccination programme updates provided by the BMA this week.

Temporary suspension of 15 minute wait                                

A temporary suspension of the 15 minute wait for the mRNA vaccine has now been announced to allow for an increased amount of vaccinations to be carried out following successful lobbying by the BMA

CQC inspections                                                                                      

To support acceleration of the booster programme, the CQC are postponing all on-site inspection activity for the next three weeks with immediate effect - except in cases where there is evidence of risk to life, or the immediate risk of serious harm to people.

The Department of Work and Pensions are making legislative changes meaning that from Friday 17 December 2021 self-certification for sickness will be extended from 7 to 28 days for people accessing Statutory Sick Pay, and there will be no requirement for a fit note to access other benefits. 

After extensive work, the BMA have published guidance on the firearms licensing process, setting out the BMA position on firearms licensing and providing information to GPs on what to do when someone applies for a firearms licence, including responding to the police and conscientious objection.