Please see the attached correspondence from Professor Sir Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer, regarding the Autumn 2024 COVID-19 vaccination programme.
The eligible criteria for the COVID-19 Autumn vaccination programme in line with the recommendations of the JCVI.
For Autumn 2024, the Department of Health are continuing to offer COVID-19 vaccination to frontline Health and Social Care Workers, and staff working in Care Homes.
Community pharmacies will be responsible for the vaccination of all care home residents and staff, including mop-up visits. Vaccination of care homes can begin from 7th October 2024 with the aim to complete as quickly as possible.
For care homes operated by HSC Trusts, Trusts are asked to ensure local arrangements are made with community pharmacies offering the vaccination service.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to review the correspondence issued 20th September 2024 regarding the COVID-19 Autumn 2024 vaccination programme
Further information from SPPG on the Autumn vaccination programme should be issued imminently.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Reminder: All Stop Smoking 4 and 52 week follow-up consultations that have not expired, i.e. within 12 months, are eligible to be claimed for and must be uploaded on to the Elite system before Friday 27th September 2024.
Dear Colleague
Correspondence dated 30th August 2024 regarding the Community Pharmacy Stop Smoking Service has been issued by the PHA.
SUMMARY
The delivery of Stop Smoking Services across Northern Ireland has contributed to the reduction of smoking prevalence to 14%.
In the coming months, the PHA will be linking closely with all Stop Smoking Service providers to ensure the service continues to be of high quality and fit for purpose.
From 14th October 2024, the PHA and SPPG will be undertaking a data review of Stop Smoking Services that were delivered between 1st April 2023-31st March 2024.
This review will aim to demonstrate that the work of Community Pharmacy is accurately reported, and is delivered in line with best practice.
The PHA are asking that all Stop Smoking client data is accurately uploaded onto the electronic monitoring system before Friday 27th September 2024.
All 4 and 52 week follow-ups that have not expired, i.e. within 12 months, are eligible to be claimed for.
The PHA/SPPG may contact some service providers at a later date to discuss service activity and PV1 activity for this period.
The PHA wish to remind Stop Smoking Service providers that the Quality Standards for Stop Smoking Services in NI, require carbon monoxide validation for all clients at the 4 week follow-up. This is an area which has been identified as requiring improvement and will be monitored as part of the quality improvement process.
ACTION
Contractors should:
Read and note the PHA correspondence and share with relevant members of the pharmacy team.
Ensure all 4 and 52 week follow-up that have not expired, i.e. within 12 months, have been uploaded onto the electronic monitoring system before Friday 27th September.
Ensure that a carbon monoxide validation is carried out for all Stop Smoking Service users at the 4 week follow-up.
Reminder: Many thanks to those contractors who have joined the contractor WhatsApp groups to date. For those who still wish to join a group, please click the link(s) corresponding to your area.
Dear Contractor,
CPNI is facilitating the establishment of Contractor WhatsApp Groups to help support communication and to encourage engagement on key community pharmacy topics, at a local level.
Previously established groups will continue in the interim to facilitate day-to-day pharmacy business related discussions.
Contractors are invited to join the WhatsApp groups relevant to their pharmacy(ies) by clicking the link below to the area(s) in which they would like to be included. Please note that these groups are open to contractors only or a nominated staff member. It will be for contractors to decide who they share the joining link with.
We would ask you to please state your name, pharmacy and role when joining the group.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Kind regards,
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear colleague,
SPPG issued correspondence on 18 September 2024 in relation to the removal of urgent pandemic packs from nursing homes.
SUMMARY
The SPPG letter advises that Urgent Pandemic Packs are being withdrawn with immediate effect.
Details of the actions to be taken by Community Pharmacy, General Practice and Nursing Homes are included in the letter.
ACTIONS
Contractors should read the SPPG letter and share with relevant members of the pharmacy team.
Please contact a member of the CPNI team should you have any queries.
Kind regards,
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
Dear colleague,
CPNI is supporting the NPA day of action to #saveourpharmacies which is taking place tomorrow (Thursday 19th of September 2024) when community pharmacies across the four nations will be calling for a fair deal for the sector.
As part of the day, political representatives will be visiting community pharmacies in Northern Ireland to find out more about the challenges facing the sector. We will be sharing Northern Ireland specific social media cards which you are invited to add to your own social media channels using the campaign hashtag #SaveOurPharmacies to help spread the message loud and clear about the pressures facing the community pharmacy network:
Tagging in CPNI – @compharmacyni, the Minister of Health, Mike Nesbitt – @mikenesbittni and your local politicians.
NPA are asking pharmacies tomorrow to:
Ring bells, blow a whistle or make other noises for two minutes from 9am, to sound the alarm about the crisis being faced by pharmacy;
Share on social media! Use the hashtag #saveourpharmacies;
Turn off the lights between 9am-12noon;
Ask your teams to wear black;
Black out the windows.
The day of action is open to all community pharmacies across the UK.
On the day, a delegation of pharmacy representative bodies are on schedule to deliver the cross-sector #saveourpharmacies petition to 10 Downing Street.
Community pharmacies in Northern Ireland previously showed a high level of support for the day of action held in June and we encourage you and your teams to participate in tomorrow’s event.
Kind regards,
Jude
SENT ON BEHALF OF JUDE AUSTIN Communications Manager
WhatsApp Business Terms of Service can be found here and privacy policy hereUCA-NI Privacy Policy We take your privacy seriously and do not share or sell any personal details with third parties for commercial purposes. If you have any questions, please contact the CPNI office. You can withdraw your consent to be contacted at any time by calling 028 9069 0444 or by emailing info@communitypharmacyni.co.uk. CPNI Data Protection Policy and Data Retention policy can be found Click Here
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
