Correspondence has been issued by SPPG 3rd July 2024 regarding the recent rise in coronavirus infection and which patients who should be testing.
SUMMARY
Due to a possible surge in COVID-19, the PHA have produced a poster for pharmacies to display which provides information to patients on who should be testing for COVID-19 infection and are therefore eligible for free lateral flow tests.
The poster contains a QR code which will direct patients to the relevant NI Direct webpage for further information.
ACTION
Please review the correspondence issued by SPPG 3rd July 2024 regarding information for patients on the eligibility of free lateral flow tests.
SPPG will be sending out posters to community pharmacy to display, however, pharmacies are asked in the meantime to print out the poster or use the jpg to display the poster digitally if possible and preferred.
If you have any queries in relation to this email, please contact your local Primary Care Office.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
SPPG have issued an important update on 2nd July 2024 regarding the Spring COVID-19 CPVS programme.
SUMMARY
The PHA immunisation team would like to pass on their thanks to community pharmacy teams for their hard work throughout the Spring Booster Campaign.
An evaluation exercise will be carried out in relation to the campaign, and further information will be shared once available.
The COVID-19 Spring booster campaign ended on 30th June 2024 therefore:
The PGD is no longer valid and no further vaccinations should be administered.
All unused stock of Spikevax® XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccines should be disposed of in line with current guidance.
The additional Care Home payment should be claimed for by completion of the online declaration by Friday 5th July.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to read the correspondence issued by SPPG 2nd July 2024 regarding the Spring COVID-19 vaccination programme and share with all relevant team members.
The PGD for the COVID-19 Spring booster is no longer valid and therefore no further vaccinations should be administered.
Any residual Spikevax® XBB.1.5 COVID-19 stock should now be disposed of in waste bins in line with current guidance.
The online declaration for completion of Spring COVID-19 vaccinations in Care Homes should be completed by Friday 5th July to receive the additional payment.
Reminder – entries & nominations for this year’s Independent Pharmacy Awards are open for another few weeks until 15th July 2024. There are 6 categories and the link to enter is here: Enter IPA 24
PHA Training Needs Assessment (Alcohol and Drugs)
This survey is part of a wider assessment of the training needs of those who come into contact with individuals who experience problems due to (own or others) substance use. The survey is being conducted by Social Market Research (SMR) on behalf of the Public Health Agency.
PHA wishes to ensure that the training needs of professionals and other staff who come into contact with those using substances, or their family members, continue to be met. This survey will help to support this objective and provides those working in the sector with an opportunity to say what is working well, as well as an opportunity to identify gaps in training provision, particularly as needs are changing.
Lunch and Learn; Time to Take Your Medicine
The following invitation has been shared with CPNI for onwards circulation to our members to bring this lunchtime seminar to your attention as it may be of interest:
30th July 2024, 1pm-2pm
A discussion with Vicki Swanton (Partner, DWF Healthcare) and Pharmacist Richard Brown on the role of the pharmacist, their interactions with clinicians and patients, and the pit falls that can lead to claims.
Further to CPNI CU#240610A: Proposed Rota Changes CPNI are aware that a number of contractors raised concerns with their local SPPG office on the proposed changes to rota in their area.
Local offices have now issued letters to those contractors affected by the proposed rota changes. For those areas where there was no objection the changes are proceeding as proposed. In areas where issues were raised, the current rota arrangements will be continuing until further notice. Local offices have communicated the rota arrangements over the coming weeks with the community pharmacies involved.
CPNI is disappointed by the lack of notice contractors were given regarding the proposed rota changes, the timelines for providing feedback, the uncertainty there has been around rota provision moving into the summer period and the lack of additional funding to support this service at this time.
SPPG has issued letters to community pharmacies that stated: “CPNI were content with the approach to the review, and agreed to consult with the affected pharmacies as required. At that time, CPNI did not raise any concerns from contractors potentially affected by the proposed changes.”
CPNI is disappointed at this misrepresentation. CPNI advised SPPG that it was for local offices to consult with the pharmacies involved in rota in their area to determine how rota should be taken forward in each area. CPNI has continually raised concerns, including specific contractor concerns, on the arrangements for rota provision moving forward. CPNI had also asked to discuss the rota arrangements further once local offices had collated the feedback. CPNI did not have sight of the letters that were issued to contractors in advance and have asked SPPG to correct the paragraph quoted above.
CPNI will continue to work with SPPG to try and arrive at workable rota arrangements moving forward that are fairly planned, communicated and remunerated.
Please do not hesitate to contact CPNI office should you have any questions.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
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