Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Contractor

I write to confirm that a contractor meeting will take place on Thursday 23 March 2023 at 8pm at the Crowne Plaza, Belfast,117 Milltown Rd, Belfast BT8 7XP

This will be an ‘in-person’ meeting and an important update will be provided on community pharmacy funding for 2023/24 including adherence services.

I would encourage you all to attend this meeting and ask that you RSVP by 5pm on Tuesday 21 March 2023 by completing this link HERE.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF 
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI issued guidance to pharmacists regarding the use of electronic/computerised controlled drug registers on 5 June 2019 and, more recently, on 16 March 2023. Both letters can be found below:

Electronic/Computerised Controlled Drug Registers June 2019

Electronic/Computerised Controlled Drug Registers March 2023

ACTION

Contractors are advised to:

  • Note the guidance, bring the information to the attention of your dispensary teams, and ensure that your registers comply with the requirements of Misuse of Drugs legislation. 

Any queries should be directed, in the first instance, to the Medicines Regulatory Group, DHNI.

Kind regards – Mike

SENT ON BEHALF OF
PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY
Head of Regulatory Affairs

This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams, including details of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CPNI ALERTS

DOH(NI) ALERTS

BSO ALERTS

The Community Development and Health Network (CDHN) recently shared their Newsletter on Building the Community-Pharmacy Partnership and it is available to read here.
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust is running a pilot training programme: Isolation and Loneliness Experienced by Older People.

The programme comprises of free virtual and face to face half day and one day training courses aimed at staff in healthcare and non-healthcare roles, who are directly engaging with older people in the Belfast Trust area.

Click on the following links for further information:

•    An Introduction to Loneliness and Isolation Experienced by Older People
•    OCN NI Level 2 Award in Awareness of Loneliness
Pharmacy team(s) can keep updated via CPNI’s Contractor Calendar and Contractor Emails.
Or report medicine shortages, pricing and staffing issues via the CPNI’s Medicine Shortage Reporter and Situation Reporter.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
DR. GARETH C. GILVARY
Governance & Support Pharmacist
Dear Colleague
NICPLD issued correspondence on Monday regarding the application process for those pharmacists who wish to be accredited as an Educational Supervisor for the 2023/24 Foundation Training Year cohort.

SUMMARY

  • The application process to become an accredited ES for FTY 23/24 is now open.
  • The application process will close on 27 March 2023.
  • Regardless of previous accreditation status, all pharmacists intending to act as an ES for the 23/24 FTY cohort must apply for accreditation, using the form which can be found here.
  • Applicants should familiarise themselves with the PSNI Standards for Foundation Training Year to ensure they are eligible.
  • There are three pathways to accreditation which are dependent on prior accreditation status and experience.  Further detail can be found in the correspondence here.

ACTION

Contractors are asked to:

Please feel free to contact a member of the CPNI team should you have any questions, or alternatively queries can also be directed to nicpld-fty@qub.ac.uk.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Gerard Greene
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor

I write to confirm that a contractor meeting will take place on Thursday 23 March 2023 at 8pm at the Crowne Plaza, Belfast,117 Milltown Rd, Belfast BT8 7XP

This will be an ‘in-person’ meeting and an important update will be provided on community pharmacy funding for 2023/24 including adherence services.

I would encourage you all to attend this meeting and ask that you RSVP by 5pm on Tuesday 21 March 2023 by completing this link HERE.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF 
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Colleague
As you may be aware, SPPG issued correspondence on 23 January 2023 to those pharmacies providing the Regional Stop Smoking Service.

SUMMARY

  • The rolling forward of the “Stop Smoking” service contract due to be returned to the PHA on 30 January 2023. 
  • All providers that have purchased, or in the process of purchasing a carbon monoxide monitor via the PHA Reimbursement Scheme, goods need to be receipted no later than 31 March 2023. PHA will require a pharmacy reimbursement invoice in addition to the supplier invoice.

ACTION

Contractors are asked to note:

  • The contents of the letter and bring it to the attention of relevant staff
  • Submit a pharmacy reimbursement invoice in addition to the supplier invoice to PHA for a carbon monoxide monitor purchased via the PHA Reimbursement Scheme, goods need to be receipted no later than 31 March 2023. 

For queries in relation to the service please contact your PHA local Tobacco coordinator. Queries may also be directed to a member of the CPNI team.

Kind regards 

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Gerard Greene
Chief Executive