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 

CPNI ALERTS 

HSCB ALERTS 

Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
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 or Situation Reporter.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF 
DR. GARETH C. GILVARY
Governance & Support Pharmacist
Dear Colleague
Following on from the update letter regarding Staff Recognition Payment on 14 October 2021, please see attached for your attention, correspondence, from Louise McMahon, Director of Integrated Care, regarding the Staff Recognition Payment (SRP).

Furthermore, please find attached: Guidance, Claims Template and Staff Factsheet.

Please note:

  • Returns must be made at an individual Pharmacy practice level (and not at a group level).
  • You are asked to note your Pharmacy Contract number on the subject line of the e-mail when submitting your claim.

HSCB have asked that claims are to be submitted by close of play Wednesday 17 November 2021 to the appropriate email address below. Please note that pharmacies who have already returned claims templates as part of the pilot process are still required to make a new return on the template provided.

AreaEmail address for completed claims
NorthernSRPRETURNSNORTH@hscni.net
WesternSRPRETURNSWEST@hscni.net
SouthernSRPRETURNSSOUTH@hscni.net
EasternSRPRETURNSEAST@hscni.net

Zoom training sessions have been setup to go through the guidance and template, it is important that the staff that are completing the template attends the appropriate session. If you cannot attend your service area zoom please feel free to join another zoom, however, please note that the template and guidance discussed will be tailored to that particular service area.  

The training zoom sessions mentioned in the letter will be held on Wednesday 3 November 2021, 7-8pm via Zoom HERE.

Should you have any queriesor concerns in relation to the completion and return of the requested information and documentation within this timescale please contact: StaffRecognitionPaymentQueries@hscni.net at the earliest opportunity.

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 HSCB.

SUMMARY

  • Pharmacies providing the CPFV service are now able to order additional stock due to a re-allocation of existing aQIV and QIVc vaccines. Vaccine order quantities should be placed with Movianto to enable the pharmacy to meet its anticipated fortnightly vaccine requirement. 
  • Quotas of both influenza vaccines have been increased from Tuesday 2 November 2021. All community pharmacies can now place orders for this additional stock with Movianto.
  • If additional vaccine is required above and beyond this current quota increase please email James McAuley (James.McAuley@hscni.net) advising of the type and number of vaccines required.
  • If a patient is eligible for the aQIV vaccine, and your community pharmacy does not have any stock at that current time, it is acceptable to offer QIVc. This is covered within the PGD and service specification.

ACTION

  • Contractors are asked to review the correspondence.
  • 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

I write to give you advance notice of the date and time of the next CPNI Contractor meeting, scheduled for 8pm on Tuesday 16 November 2021 via Zoom.

At the Contractor meeting an update will be provided to you in relation to a range of important current matters including:

  • HSCB Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment Consultation, available here. The closing date for this Consultation is 30 November 2021.
  • Current Contractual and Funding matters.
  • Service developments, including COVID-19& Flu Vaccination services.

I also write to advise you that Mr. James McCaughan and Mr. Peter Rice completed their 2-year tenures as Chairman and Vice-Chair respectively of CPNI at the October CPNI Board meeting on Thursday 14 October 2021 and that the CPNI Board, in accordance with the Company rules, appointed Mr. Peter Rice and Mrs. Marie Smith as Chairman and Vice-Chair of CPNI for the incoming year.

CPNI Board acknowledged the significant contribution made by James during his tenure, a period that was defined by the COVID-19 pandemic and the response by the community pharmacy sector, something that continues to this day. Peter’s appointment as CPNI Chairman ensures continuity at this important and critical time for Contractors and CPNI and I am sure you will support not only Peter and Marie over the coming weeks and months but the Board and staff of CPNI as well.

CPNI Board will be meeting again on Thursday 11 November 2021 and I will write to you again following that meeting to provide you with further information in relation to the Zoom joining arrangements for the Contractor meeting at 8pm on Tuesday 16 November 2021.

I want to thank you, and your teams, for your on-going professionalism and dedication to patient care over recent weeks and months.

I look forward to seeing you on 16 November 2021.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF 
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Colleague
Please find correspondence HERE from Kathryn Turner, Pharmacy Lead HSCB.

Contractors are asked to note that the primary aim of the service is to vaccinate eligible patients where possible.

SUMMARY

  • Community pharmacy can offer a COVID-19 Booster vaccination to all those 50 years of age and over provided there has been be a minimum of 6 months after completing their primary course of COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Frontline Health and Social Care Workers can be vaccinated through this programme including Trust and non-Trust staff. The service is additionally available to those who:
  • Work in or are working for service providers contracted to the HSC in a frontline role as a Health and Social Care Worker (HSCW), if 18 years or over (e.g., Barnardos staff providing HSC services).
  • Work as Funeral Directors, who will present a letter from their employer authorising a vaccination.
  • Please note a booster dose can only be offered six months after a patient has completed their primary COVID-19 vaccination course.
  • Health and Social Care Workers eligible are:
  • Domiciliary care workers and Nursing home and residential home staff.
  • Other frontline HSCW who are patient facing.
  • The seasonal influenza vaccine can be co-administered with COVID-19 vaccinations.

ACTION

  • Contractors are asked to review the correspondence.
  • The community pharmacist should exercise professional judgement if the individual presents evidence such as a work I.D. or is in work uniform.
  • 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
Following on from the update letter regarding Staff Recognition Payment on 14 October 2021, the training zoom sessions mentioned in the letter will be held on Wednesday 3 November 2021, 7-8pm via Zoom HERE.

We would be grateful if this could be shared with the appropriate staff in your organisation so the person who will be completing the template attends the zoom. Further information will be provided with the release of the documentation this afternoon.

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