Archives: Contractor Email

Friday 14th May 2021

Dear Colleague

Cyber attacks: Early Warning Service launched

Further to previous CPNI Contractor Updates in relation to Cyber-security security which can be accessed here, and reports in the news today of a cyber-attack on the IT systems used by the Health Service Executive in the Republic of Ireland, please find here additional information on the Early Warning Service released today by the Police Service of Northern Ireland Cyber Crime Centre

Action

Contractors are advised to:

Contractors are reminded that the storage and back up of patient sensitive data and any amendments to your systems should only be carried out in line with advice from your IT or email supplier, PMR system provider and in line with Data Protection legislation

CPNI and police cyber security colleagues, as well as your IT systems providers, will continue to support you in these matters

Kind regards
Mike

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Prof. Mike Mawhinney 
Head of Regulatory Affairs




Thursday 13th May 2021

Dear Colleague

You are reminded that a number of surveys are open at present.  We appreciate that pharmacy contractors are extremely busy at present, however taking time to provide this essential feedback will demonstrate some of the valuable contributions being made by community pharmacy.  Please submit responses before the closing date if not already completed:

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF 
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Wednesday 12th May 2021

Dear Colleague

Please be aware that correspondence issued to pharmacy contractors yesterday evening from the HSCB Pharmacy and Medicines Management Unit in relation to the ordering, delivery and use of lateral flow antigen tests by patient-facing staff.  Contractors who have not yet registered to receive tests are reminded to do so using the form which can be accessed here.

The letter can be viewed in full here.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF 
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Tuesday 11th May 2021

Dear Colleague

Please be aware that correspondence issued to pharmacy contractors yesterday from Mr Joe Brogan, HSCB Assistant Director of Integrated Care and Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management.  Mr Brogan’s letter will be of interest to contractors as it provides further detail on the opening funding position and the commissioning plan 21/22.  Matters addressed in the correspondence are:

1. Pharmacy Advance Payments
2. Core Pharmacy Services (including Global Sum, Non-global Sum and Retained Purchase Profit)
3. Additional Services
4. COVID-19 Vaccination
5. Services Maintained from April until June 2021 (including Business Continuity, Staff and Premises Costs and enhanced service payments)
6. The Commissioning Plan

Contractors are asked to note the content of the letter and the commissioning plan to which it refers.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF 
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Tuesday 11 May 2021

Dear Colleagues,

Please find below correspondence which issued at 16:50 yesterday (10th May 2021) from HSCB Pharmacy & Medicines Management team.

HSCB CORRESPONDENCE: URGENT – CPVS – Updated PHA patient resource on COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine and extremely rare blood clots

In light of the recent updated JCVI guidance on use of the Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine, PHA have updated their patient information resources. The updated factsheet entitled  COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine and extremely rare blood clots  can be found  at COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine and extremely rare blood clots | HSC Public Health Agency (hscni.net)

This updated factsheet should now replace the  PHE patient resource that was recommended as an interim measure for community pharmacies providing clinics over the last number of days. Printed copies of the fact sheet will be issued to community pharmacists as soon as possible.

Information for healthcare professionals in light of the JCVI guidance will also be shortly available via the PHA website. Further information will be provided in due course.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Gerard Greene
Chief Executive