Further to the correspondence issued by SPPG 14th March 2024 regarding the Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework over 400 contractors have submitted the declaration.
SUMMARY
SPPG is seeking completion of the Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework (CPAF) declaration form for your pharmacy, for the 2023/24 year.
The aim and purpose of the framework is to monitor compliance with Terms of Service, service specifications, related professional standards and best practice guidance.
SPPG has recently worked with CPNI to review, update and agree the Assurance framework for the 2023/24 year.
A payment of £1200 will be made to each pharmacy, upon return of the completed declaration, for compliance with the CPAF process in 2023/24.
The recently resumed CPAF visits will continue, and pharmacies will be contacted directly if selected for a visit.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to review the correspondence and share with all relevant team members.
For those pharmacies who have yet to complete the declaration please use the following link. The declaration is to be completed by Wednesday 27th March 2024.
A copy of the current practice leaflet and the complaints procedure/SOP should be submitted via email to your local office by 31st March 2024.
CPNI have produced a guidance document and resources to support you with CPAF, available on CPNI’s website HERE.
Please contact the Pharmacy Advisor at your local office for any queries.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
For the attention of Community Pharmacies providing the Spring 2024 COVID-19 Community Pharmacy Vaccination Service
Dear Contractor
SPPG have issued correspondence relating to the COVID-19 Spring Booster Vaccination Service 27th March 2024.
SUMMARY
The Spring 2024 vaccination programme will officially begin on 15th April 2024 and all contractors may participate in this service on submission of contracts.
The service specification will be available on the BSO website and the contractor must ensure all staff are trained to deliver the CPVS in accordance with the service specification.
The CMO letter issued 8th March gives details of the Spring booster programme and eligible cohorts.
Further information on the PGDs and the National Protocol will be issued shortly and will be available on the BSO website.
The programme will use 0.5ml [zero. Five millilitres] dose of Spikevax (Moderna) XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine and pharmacies can place orders from Movianto from the 3rd April 2024.
All patients vaccinated as part of the CPVS must be recorded on the VMS.
Information on remuneration is detailed within the correspondence, and fees payable will be processed by the BSO based on appropriate entry on VMS.
ACTION
Contractors should review the correspondence issued 27th March 2024 and share this information with relevant members of the pharmacy team.
Community pharmacies who wish to participate in the vaccination service should submit a completed contract by 5pm 12th April 2024.
Any new provider that does not currently have access to VMS can contact Tom Coyle (tom.coyle@hscni.net) who will provide further information on setting up and accessing. New contractors should be aware it may take up to ten working days to set up a new pharmacy access to VMS.
Please ensure to access the service specification, PGDs and National Protocol which will be available on the BSO website.
Pharmacies can place orders for Spikevax XBB.1.5 with Movianto from 3rd April 2024 and officially begin the vaccination programme on 15th April 2024.
Please note the Spikevax XBB.1.5 vaccine has a 30 day post-thaw expiry date.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP059) in response to current concerns across the UK regarding the availability of Monomil® XL 60mg tablets.
This SSP, which is detailed in the attached letter from DHNI, came into operation in all parts of the UK on 26 March 2024 and has an expiry date of 3 May 2024.
SUMMARY
SSPs, made under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, are an additional tool to manage and mitigate medicines shortages.
SSPs enable community pharmacists to supply specified medicines in accordance with a protocol rather than a prescription, without needing to seek authorisation from the prescriber – saving time for patients, pharmacists and prescribers.
DHSC has issued an SSP in response to current concerns across the UK regarding the availability of Monomil® XL 60mg tablets.
It is important to note that there are two groups of alternatives listed in the SSP, and contractors should refer to the letter and the BSO website for the full details.
Contractors must also note the conditions attached to this SSP including the direction that ‘patients should be made aware of the change and be warned of possible adverse events that they may experience particularly in the first few days. The most important is hypotension (low blood pressure) as well as faster heart rate. Also, headache may get worse. If they have concerns, they should contact their doctor.’
ACTION
Contractors are asked to:
Note the issue of SSP059 relating to Monomil® XL 60mg tablets.
Review theattached letterfrom DHNI and ensure that their dispensing teams are familiar with this new protocol.
Note the guidance specific to this SSP detailed in the letter.
Note general SSP operational guidance on the BSO website HERE.
Contractors should contact their local SPPG office in the first instance should further information be required. CPNI colleagues are also available for assistance.
Kind regards
Mike
SENT ON BEHALF OF PROF MIKE MAWHINNEY Head of Regulatory Affairs
Dear Contractor
SPPG have issued an important update on the 26th March 2024 regarding the Pharmacy First EHC Service
SUMMARY
Approximately 30,000 consultations for EHC have now been undertaken by community pharmacists since July 2022.
A number of the resources have been reviewed and updated, and these must be used from 1st April 2024.
The consultation form and the monthly claim form have been updated to capture further information on the ages of those using the service. These can be found on the BSO website.
The current PGDs for desogestrel and levonorgestrel expire on 30th April and updated versions will be available from 1st May 2024.
The service specification has been updated and is also available on the BSO website.
Contractors may be asked to submit records to the local office as the Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre (MOIC) will be undertaking a review of the service this year.
NICPLD has updated the training module on Emergency Contraception and this is referenced in the updated service specification.
A copy of the Knowing Your Options patient leaflet must be given as part of every consultation. Colour copies can be requested by emailing your local office.
Service users can complete the on-line survey following their consultation using the following link or alternatively using the QR code in the correspondence.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to review the correspondence issued by SPPG 26th March 2023 and share with all relevant members of the team.
The consultation form and monthly claim form have been updated and are available on the BSO website. These must be used from 1st April 2024.
The service specification has also been updated. Please review the revised documentation which can be accessed here.
An updated training module on Emergency Contraception is now available on the NICPLD website and can be accessed here.
Please ensure that the Knowing Your Options patient leaflet is given out with every consultation.
SPPG requests that service users are encouraged to complete the on-line survey following their consultation using the QR code included in the correspondence.
If there any any queries regarding the Pharmacy First EHC Service please contact your pharmacy advisor.
All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy Meeting – Tuesday 19 March
This week, CPNI representatives briefed members of the All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy on the deepening crisis in the community pharmacy sector. This follows the recent CPNI presentation to the Assembly Health Committee.
At the meeting, CPNI asked the Members to call on the Department of Health (NI) to further stabilise the Community Pharmacy sector and to re-set the funding going forward. This will enable community pharmacy teams to build on the care they deliver in their communities and to also play an enhanced transformative role that benefits the patients and the health service.
Diabetes UK have been in touch with some leadership training opportunities which may be of interest to local community pharmacists. These are free courses, one online and one hybrid, and the deadlines are 7th and 8th of April. Further information is available here.
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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