DoH(NI) has invited CPNI to nominate a Community Pharmacist, representative of Contractor members of CPNI, to join each of the new shadow Area Integrated Partnership Boards (AIPBs). These shadow AIPBs are being rolled out by the Department of Health across the five Trust geographical areas (Belfast, Southern, South-Eastern, Northern and Western areas) over the coming months as the next step in the implementation of a new Integrated Care System (ICS) for Northern Ireland.
ICS is the new Commissioning Framework for Northern Ireland. It is a single planning system that will help the health service to improve the health and well-being of the NI population and to address demand.
An AIPB is a planning partnership for the given geographical area with its over-arching aim being one of improving health and social care outcomes and reducing health inequalities for its local population.
The proposed membership of each shadow AIPB will include representation from across organisations and sectors who have a responsibility and/or interest in the health and social well-being of the population. The membership of each AIPB will therefore include representation from Community Pharmacy, Service Users and Carers, HSC Trusts, GP, local Councils and the Voluntary and Community Sectors. A test AIPB has been in operation in the Southern area since May 2023, with Mr. Sheelin McKeagney being the Community Pharmacy representative on the Southern area test AIPB.
This is a unique opportunity for Community Pharmacy representatives to play pivotal roles on these important new multi-sectoral AIPB structures within the ICS model that is being taken forward by the Health Minister Mr. Robin Swann MLA and the Permanent Secretary Mr. Peter May and led by Martina Moore, Director of the ICS NI Programme at DoH(NI). ICS and AIPBs are further evolutions of the Local Commissioning Group (LCG) and Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) bodies that were previously in place, of which many contractors and community pharmacists were members and played hugely important roles while serving on the LCGs or ICPs.
The letter requesting nominations from CPNI for the Community Pharmacy representative is available (here) with the Role Description for the Community Pharmacist Representative available (here) for your consideration and information.
Contractor Action:
You are asked to read the letter of request to CPNI and the Role Description document and to consider completing the Expressions of Interest form (here) if you, or one of your community pharmacy employee(s) or representatives would like to be considered for nomination as the Community Pharmacy AIPB representative in your Trust area. Completed EoI forms should be returned to CPNI on, or before Tuesday 9th April 2024.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any additional information.
Yours sincerely,
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor,
SPPG issued correspondence dated 29 March 2024 providing a further funding update for 2024/25.
SUMMARY
The opening global sum fees have been set from 1st April 2024:
Fee rate April 2023
Initial Opening Position
Ordinary Dispensing
£1
£1.07 per item
Instalment Dispensing
£0.40
£0.50 per item
Practice Allowance
£20,900
£24,000 per year
Work is ongoing with CPNI in relation to confirming additional funding streams for 2024/25 and it is anticipated we will be in a position to advise on these in the coming weeks.
ACTION
Read the attached correspondence and share with relevant members of your pharmacy team.
CPNI will keep you updated of any further developments.
Kind Regards,
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Information regarding the Pharmacy First Sore Throat Pilot Service has been issued 14th March 2024 by SPPG.
SUMMARY
SPPG have issued the following correspondence 14th March 2024.
The Pharmacy First Sore Throat Pilot Service has now ended 31st March 2024.
An evaluation of the service will be undertaken and the outcomes will inform the potential roll out of a similar service next winter.
An online survey will be shared with Community Pharmacy and GP practices, and the feedback from these surveys will be included in the evaluation process.
An online forum is also to be organised by SPPG to give pharmacists an opportunity to discuss what went well and areas needing improvement.
SPPG have contacted GP and OOHs informing them of the service end date.
ACTION
Contractors should read the correspondence issued 14th March 2024 by SPPG regarding Pharmacy First Sore Throat Pilot Service.
As the service has ended on 31st March 2024, contractors are requested to complete all outstanding claim forms and email them to your local office by Monday 8th April 2024 to ensure payment of fees.
All promotional materials should be removed from the pharmacy and any online platforms.
Please remind local GP practices that the service has now ended on 31st March 2024.
Complete the online evaluation survey once it becomes available.
Consider attending the online discussion forum that will be held in May.
Please share this information will all relevant team members.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
SPPG have issued CPVS Update 15 on 3rd April 2024 relating to the Autumn COVID-19 and Seasonal Flu Vaccination Service
SUMMARY
The Autumn COVID-19 and Seasonal Flu CPVS programmes finished on 31st March 2024 and providers are no longer authorised to vaccinate eligible patients for the Autumn 23/24 programme.
Pharmacies should dispose of any residual Comirnaty (Pfizer) XBB 1.5 COVID-19 stock into waste bins as stated in the PHA letter as this vaccine will not be used for the Spring COVID-19 programme.
Pharmacies can also dispose of any residual Flu vaccine stock.
The Spring COVID-19 programme will begin 15th April 2024 and documentation is available on the BSO website.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to review the letter issued by SPPG 3rd April 2024 regarding the Community Pharmacy Vaccination Service.
Pharmacies intending to provide the Spring Vaccination Service should refer to the contract letter previously issued. Contracts can be submitted online using the following link before 5pm 12th April 2024.
Please see attached correspondence from SPPG issued 3rd April 2024 outlining the plans for the service in this 2024/25 year and to seek an assurance in relation to service provided in 2023/24.
SUMMARY
Pharmacies previously signed up to the 23/24 service
The service will continue in line with the CPCHSS service specification for 24/25 and it is not necessary to complete a new contract.
A requirement of the service is to complete two care home visits each financial year.
SPPG are requesting pharmacies to complete the MS forms proforma detailing the dates of the two visits undertaken in 23/24 by Friday 19th April 2024.
New Pharmacies who wish to sign up to the 24/25 service
Pharmacies who did not sign up to the service in 23/24 and who now wish to participate in 24/25, should email a contract to the local office by Friday 26th April 2024.
A service agreement form should also be completed for each care home and a copy of the agreement should be retained in the pharmacy.
The service specification can be found on the BSO website and should be reviewed by all relevant staff.
A previously recorded ECHO session is available by logging onto Project Echo Moodle Site-click on My Courses ‘collaborative community pharmacy 2023/24’ and the following video recordings dated 30/11/21 and 22/11/22.
Change of care home contract
If during 24/25 year a community pharmacy no longer provides the routine dispensing service to a care home, please inform the local office so that monthly payments relating to service provision may be stopped.
ACTION
Contractors should read the attached correspondence to ensure community pharmacy teams are aware of the Community Pharmacy Care Home Support Service Update.
Pharmacies previously signed up to the 23/24 service should return the attached proforma to your local office by Friday 19th April 2024. It is not necessary to complete a new contract for 24/25.
For those pharmacies who have not signed up to the service during 23/24 but who now wish to participate in the service, please return by email your completed contract to your local office by Friday 26th April 2024.
If you have any queries in relation to this service please contact Breege Brogan Breege.Brogan@hscni.net or Gillian Plant Gillian.Plant@hscni.net
CPNI will provide you with further updates to the Community Pharmacy Care Home Support Service.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
The toolkit contains resources including a symptoms awareness video, social media graphics, and posters.
Pharmacy and Safe Use of Medicines Engagement Advisory Group
The Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) are establishing a new Service User/Carer Engagement Advisory Group to provide input and advice on the development of safe and efficient pharmacy and medicines services.
The Engagement Advisory Group will work in partnership with SPPG pharmacy team to advise on changes to existing services and development of new services, focusing on safety and quality.
Service Users and Carers are invited to join the group to provide people with an opportunity to have their say on how Pharmacy services are delivered and how medicines are managed safely in Northern Ireland.
This is also an opportunity for contractors, staff or patients to get involved and participate in the group which is expected to meet four times per year with the first meeting to be held in June 2024.
By getting involved participants will:
Help improve the experience for people who use pharmacy services and ensure the safe use of medicines.
Help the SPPG Pharmacy team understand how to provide better pharmaceutical services and safer use of medicines.
For more information and to become part of the conversation on how Pharmacy services in your area are shaped please visit – https://bit.ly/HaveYourSayPharmacyNI
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
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