Community pharmacy contractors are asked to ensure all Care Homes have their vaccinations completed by the end of the programme.
Any outstanding vaccination records should be added to VMS as a matter of urgency.
Community pharmacy teams should note the recent learning letter published by SPPG which highlights the risk associated with delayed recording on VMS.
Should any community pharmacies experience issues regarding the arrangement or completion of care home vaccinations they are asked to email Grainne.McMahon4@hscni.net.
ACTION
Community pharmacies involved in the CPVS should read the CPVS update and learning letter, and share with relevant members of the pharmacy team.
SPPG have re-issued correspondence today providing an update on the Community Pharmacy Care Home Support Service (CPCHSS). Please note that the closing date for submission of the MS forms proforma is 30th June 2025 not 30th May 2025 as stated in the original correspondence issued last Friday 6th June 2025.
SUMMARY
Pharmacies previously signed up to the 2024/25 service
The service will continue in line with the service specification which requires each pharmacy to undertake two care home visits for each care home during the financial year. A new contract is not required for 2025/26.
Please complete the MS forms proforma via this link by 30th June 2025 for each care home for which you are currently providing the service and the dates of the two visits undertaken during 2024/25.
New Pharmacies who wish to sign up to the 2025/26 service
For those pharmacies who have not signed up to the service during 24/25 but who now wish to participate in the 25/26 service, please return by email your completed contract (Appendix A) to your local office as soon as possible.
Please note all nursing and residential care homes for whom the service will be provided for by the community pharmacy should be listed on the contract.
A service agreement form (Appendix B) should be completed for every care home for which the pharmacy is providing the service. A copy of the agreement form should be retained in the pharmacy.
Please read the service specification carefully and ensure that all relevant staff are trained and competent to deliver this service.
Previously recorded ECHO training sessions can be viewed by logging on to Project Echo Moodle site (log in required – then click on; My courses ‘collaborative community pharmacy 2023/24’ and the following video recordings; dated 30/11/21 and 22/11/22).
Change of care home contract
If a community pharmacy during the 2025/26 year no longer provides the routine dispensing service to a particular care home and had been contracted to provide the CPCHSS to that care home, please inform your local office as soon as possible, so that monthly payments for CPCHSS can be stopped.
Service monitoring and post payment verification
SPPG will continue to monitor and review this service. SPPG have introduced a process for partial recuperation of payments made to community pharmacists who are contracted to provide the service but have not completed the required visits in line with the service specification.
ACTION
Read the correspondence and accompanying documentation as needed.
2024/25: Complete the MS forms link by 30th June 2025 for each care home for which you are currently providing the service and the dates of the two visits undertaken during 2024/25.
2025/26: If you wish to participate in the 25/26 service, please return by email your completed contract (Appendix A) to your local office as soon as possible.
If a community pharmacy during the 2025/26 year no longer provides the routine dispensing service to a particular care home and had been contracted to provide the CPCHSS to that care home, please inform your local office as soon as possible, so that monthly payments for CPCHSS can be stopped.
Please ensure this information is shared with all relevant members of your pharmacy team.
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence here dated 6 June 2025 relating to SSP080 and SSP081 (Estradot® 75mcg patches and Estradot® 100mcg patches) extending their expiry dates to Friday 10 October 2025.
BACKGROUND
SSPs made under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 are an additional tool to manage and mitigate medicines shortages.
SSPs enable community pharmacists to supply specified medicines in accordance with a protocol rather than a prescription, without needing to seek authorisation from the prescriber – saving time for patients, pharmacists and prescribers.
Pharmacists should refer to the latest versions of the existing SSPs which are now available on the Business Services Organisation dedicated page on its website HERE.
Operational guidance on the implementation of SSPs in Northern Ireland can be found on the BSO website HERE.
ACTION
Contractors should:
Review the letter here dated 6 June 2025, and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the extension of the expiry dates of SSP080 and SSP081, and that they are also aware of the specific details relating to these SSPs; and
Note guidance relating to the decision pathways for SSPs; notification of GPs; the need for patient/carer agreement, and action to take when this is not given; professional judgement; and actions regarding unclear quantities.
Contractors are reminded of information issued by BSO ‘Serious Shortage Protocols: Submission Information for Contractors’ which can be accessed here.
Contractors should contact their local SPPG office in the first instance should further information be required. CPNI colleagues are also available for assistance.
Kind regards
Mike
SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY Head of Regulatory Affairs
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
The ‘Know your units’ campaign will run throughout June and July and is encouraging people to be more aware of how much alcohol they drink and the impact it could be having on their health.
Patient Stories Captured in the Living Well ‘Stay well this winter’ Evaluation
The Living Well ‘Stay well this winter’ campaign which ran throughout December 2024 and January 2025 aimed to help the public prepare for the winter months by encouraging them to take actions to protect their health.
On completion of the campaign, the evaluation surveys submitted by local contractors included several patient testimonies which illustrate the positive and long-lasting impact that community pharmacy teams have on the health and well-being of the local community. The evaluation is available here.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
SPPG have issued correspondence today providing an update on the Community Pharmacy Care Home Support Service (CPCHSS).
SUMMARY
Pharmacies previously signed up to the 2024/25 service
The service will continue in line with the service specification which requires each pharmacy to undertake two care home visits for each care home during the financial year. A new contract is not required for 2025/26.
Please complete the MS forms proforma via this link by 30th May 2025 for each care home for which you are currently providing the service and the dates of the two visits undertaken during 2024/25.
New Pharmacies who wish to sign up to the 2025/26 service
For those pharmacies who have not signed up to the service during 24/25 but who now wish to participate in the 25/26 service, please return by email your completed contract (Appendix A) to your local office as soon as possible.
Please note all nursing and residential care homes for whom the service will be provided for by the community pharmacy should be listed on the contract.
A service agreement form (Appendix B) should be completed for every care home for which the pharmacy is providing the service. A copy of the agreement form should be retained in the pharmacy.
Please read the service specification carefully and ensure that all relevant staff are trained and competent to deliver this service.
Previously recorded ECHO training sessions can be viewed by logging on to Project Echo Moodle site (log in required – then click on; My courses ‘collaborative community pharmacy 2023/24’ and the following video recordings; dated 30/11/21 and 22/11/22).
Change of care home contract
If a community pharmacy during the 2025/26 year no longer provides the routine dispensing service to a particular care home and had been contracted to provide the CPCHSS to that care home, please inform your local office as soon as possible, so that monthly payments for CPCHSS can be stopped.
Service monitoring and post payment verification
SPPG will continue to monitor and review this service. SPPG have introduced a process for partial recuperation of payments made to community pharmacists who are contracted to provide the service but have not completed the required visits in line with the service specification.
ACTION
Read the correspondence and accompanying documentation as needed.
2024/25: Complete the MS forms link by 30th May 2025 for each care home for which you are currently providing the service and the dates of the two visits undertaken during 2024/25.
2025/26: If you wish to participate in the 25/26 service, please return by email your completed contract (Appendix A) to your local office as soon as possible.
If a community pharmacy during the 2025/26 year no longer provides the routine dispensing service to a particular care home and had been contracted to provide the CPCHSS to that care home, please inform your local office as soon as possible, so that monthly payments for CPCHSS can be stopped.
Please ensure this information is shared with all relevant members of your pharmacy team.
If a contractor does not currently provide the Stop Smoking Service but wishes to do so, they can contact the PHA for more information.
The service specification, quality standards, and other relevant information can be found on the BSO website.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to:
Review the SPPG reminder email and correspondence issued on 3 April 2025 regarding the Stop Smoking Service and share with all relevant members of the pharmacy team.
If not already completed, return a contract to SPPG as soon as possible.
If you have any queries in relation to this correspondence, please contact PHATobaccoAdmin@hscni.net.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
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