Archives: Contractor Email

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

BSO ALERTS

  • Weekly Drug Alerts are available here.
  • Weekly Shortages Information is available here.
  • Serious Shortage Protocols are available here.

CPNI ALERTS

  • Adherence Update 9 September 2022
    • You will be aware that the Interim Adherence Service for Cohort 3 patients was launched on 18 July 2022. The number of referrals from Trusts to community pharmacy have been relatively low so far and we acknowledge there have been some initial difficulties. We continue to link with Trust colleagues to resolve any issues that arise.
    • CPNI has been continuing to work with SPPG colleagues to develop the cohort 2 service. There will be two elements to this service: cohort 2 for new patients and cohort 2 for existing patients. Cohort 2 will involve community pharmacists undertaking an assessment of a patient’s adherence needs and the provision of adherence support if required. We are reaching the final stages of developing this service and would anticipate its start date being in the coming weeks, subject to funding approvals.
    • We recognise the demands for this service and we are hopeful that a service will be in place to facilitate cohort 2 patients in the near future.
  • CPNI Community Pharmacy Contractor Survey – Key Pressures Deadline 19 September 2022
    • CPNI are keen to understand the effects of network pressures such as workforce, workload and medicine supply and the impact this has on patients, communities and pharmacy teams.
    • To capture this information, we have compiled a short survey to allow contractors to share their experiences of these pressures. We would appreciate if you would complete the survey available HERE. It will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.
  • Community Pharmacy COVID-19 (COVID-CPVS) Service 2022/23 Contract Documentation 6 September 2022
  • Community Pharmacy Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (Flu-CPVS) Service 2022/23 Contract Documentation 6 September 2022
  • Community Pharmacy Interim Medicines Adherence Support Service Presentation 6 September 2022
  • REMINDER Pharmacy First: Emergency Hormonal Contraception Contract 5 September 2022

DOH(NI) ALERTS

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
Please find correspondence HERE from Kathryn Turner, Pharmacy Lead, Strategic Planning and Performance Group.

SUMMARY

  • The regional COVID programme will officially begin on 19 September 2022 in tandem with the seasonal Flu programme, however contractors may proceed to vaccinate as soon as they have received deliveries of vaccine. Further details are containing HERE.
  • Community pharmacies will support the COVID-CPVS Vaccination Booster Programme by offering the COVID vaccine to those aged 18 years and above in the following eligible groups:
    • those residing in RQIA registered care homes and staff
    • those aged 50 years and over (including those who turn 50 by 31 March 2023)
    • frontline Health and Social Care Workers
    • pregnant women
    • carers
  • The service specification, PGD and national protocol will be available HERE.
  • Where possible, the DoH and PHA is recommending the co-administration of Flu and COVID-19 vaccines for persons eligible to receive both vaccines.
  • Once a signed contract has been returned to SPPG, community pharmacies can place initial orders with Movianto and should receive their initial delivery after 12 September 2022.
  • Community pharmacies should prioritise vaccination of care home residents and staff, then adults aged 65 years and over and frontline health and social care workers, followed by those aged 50 to 64 years, carers and pregnant women. 
  • All patients vaccinated as part of the COVID-CPVS service must be recorded on the regional Vaccine Management System (VMS).
  • Pharmacy contractors will be reimbursed £10.06 per administered dose of vaccine.
  • An additional payment of £10 per resident will also be paid on top of the cost of service fee, for each resident vaccinated.
  • A set-up fee of £250 will be paid to each contractor providing the 2022/23 service.
  • Tiered payments will be made to a pharmacy achieving in a month Activity;
    • 50-100 vaccines administered per month = £600
    • 101-300 vaccines administered per month = £900
    • >301 vaccines administered per month = £1200

ACTION

  • Contractors and pharmacists involved in the provision of this service are asked to review the correspondence.
  • Contractors are asked to ensure all staff are trained, competent and able to deliver the COVID-CPVS service in line with the service specification.
  • Contractors who do not currently have access to VMS can contact Tom Coyle (Tom.Coyle@hscni.net) who will provide further information on setting up and accessing VMS.
  • For pharmacy contracts wishing to participate in this service, please return by email your completed contract to your local office contact by 5pm Friday 9 September 2022.
  • If you have any queries please contact Deirdre McAree (deirdre.mcaree@hscni.net) or Greg Miller (greg.miller@hscni.net).
  • Please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI office should you require any further information.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Colleague
Please find correspondence HERE from Kathryn Turner, Pharmacy Lead, Strategic Planning and Performance Group.

SUMMARY

  • The regional seasonal influenza programme will officially begin on 19 September 2022 in tandem with the COVID-19 autumn booster programme, however contractors may proceed to vaccinate as soon as they have received deliveries of vaccine. 
  • Community pharmacies will support the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme by offering the influenza vaccine to those aged 18 years and over in the following groups:
    • 65yrs and over (including those who turn 65 by 31 March 2023)
    • those aged 50 to 64 years (including those who turn 50 by 31 March 2023)
    • pregnant women
    • RQIA registered care home residents and staff
    • carers
    • frontline Health and Social Care Workers
  • The service specification, PGD and protocol will be available HERE. The finalised PGD and national protocol will be available shortly.
  • Where possible, the DoH and PHA is recommending the co-administration of Flu and COVID-19 vaccines for persons eligible to receive both vaccines.
  • Pharmacies will be able to place orders for aQIV and QIVc vaccines with Movianto NI from 12 September 2022. Delivery of this initial vaccine stock will be w/c 19 September 2022.
  • Quotas will be in place to manage available stock. It is anticipated that initial quotas will be able to be increased once further stock is made available in October 2022
  • All patients vaccinated as part of the Flu-CPVS service must be recorded on the regional Vaccine Management System (VMS).
  • Pharmacy contractors will be reimbursed £9.92 per administered dose of vaccine. A set-up fee of £250 is payable upon commencement of the service.

ACTION

  • Contractors and pharmacists involved in the provision of this service are asked to review the correspondence.
  • Contractors are asked to ensure all staff are trained, competent and able to deliver the Flu-CPVS service in line with the service specification.
  • Contractors how do not currently have access to VMS can contact Tom Coyle (Tom.Coyle@hscni.net) who will provide further information on setting up and accessing VMS.
  • For those wishing to participate in this service, please return by email your completed contract to your local office contact by 5pm Friday 9 September 2022.
  • If you have any queries please contact Deirdre McAree (deirdre.mcaree@hscni.net) or Greg Miller (greg.miller@hscni.net).
  • Please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI office should you require any further information.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Please see attached training presentation from Community Pharmacy NI regarding the Community Pharmacy Interim Medicines Adherence Support Service. This video presentation will also be available on the Primary Care Intranet in due course.

If you have any queries please contact a Pharmacy Advisor at your local SPPG office. Please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI office should you require any further information.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Colleague
Please find correspondence HERE from Kathryn Turner, Pharmacy Lead, Strategic Planning and Performance Group.

SUMMARY

  • The service will ensure that women and young people aged 13 years and over have timely access to sexual health advice and free EHC (including the provision of bridging contraception) when clinically indicated.
  • The aims of the service include:
    • Increasing the knowledge, especially amongst younger women, of the availability of EHC and bridging hormonal contraception from community pharmacies. 
    • Ensuring treatment is in line with best practice and NI Formulary.
    • Increasing the knowledge of risks such as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
  • All pharmacists planning to deliver this service must undertake training necessary to meet the competency required to provide the service, this may include revision of training already undertaken earlier this year. Training details are available HERE.
  • The pharmacy contractor is responsible for ensuring that the service is delivered in line with the service specification and guidance by suitably trained pharmacists.  The following resources are available to support service delivery:
  • A3 and A4 printed copies of the service poster will be distributed to pharmacies along with a supply of the KYO patient leaflets.
  • An on-line survey for service users will be set-up to assist with the evaluation process. SPPG will provide pharmacists with a QR code to share with service users to complete the on-line survey approximately 3 months following service launch and periodically thereafter.

ACTION

  • Contractors and pharmacists involved in the provision of this service are asked to review the correspondence.
  • All pharmacists planning to deliver this service must undertake training necessary to meet the competency required to provide the service, this may include revision of training already undertaken earlier this year. Training details are available HERE.
  • All community pharmacy contractors meeting the service specification are eligible to offer the service provided they hold a contract with the SPPG. A signed copy should be returned to your local integrated care office by email as soon as possible.
    • After this date the list of providers will be shared with GP practices, GP OOH services and Trusts to enable referrals to participating pharmacies.
  • SPPG have requested that Contractors do not return a contract at this stage if your pharmacy is not in a position to offer the service.  A contract should only be returned when your pharmacy is ready to provide the service; the list of providers will be refreshed in early September 2022 and re-issued.
  • Pharmacies may wish to promote the service on social media using the Twitter and Instagram resources.
  • If you have any queries please contact a Pharmacy Advisor at your local SPPG office.
  • Please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI office should you require any further information.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams, including details of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BSO ALERTS

CPNI ALERTS

DOH(NI) ALERTS

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