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
Dear Contractor,
I write to update you on a number of funding matters as follows:
CPNI is liaising with DoH(NI)/SPPG in relation to the final 2023/24 funding position and the funding arrangements for 2024/25. A number of aspects including Drug Tariff changes from 1st April 2024 Category-A changes, possible changes to Concessionary price arrangements, as well as the fees payable within the Global Sum (ordinary dispensing, instalment dispensing and Professional Allowance) and Medicines Adherence funding will be discussed by CPNI Directors at the 11th April Board meeting, with Contractors being updated thereafter.
CPNI is aware that several Contractors have this week expressed concern at the insufficiency of the BSO payment received on 29th March relative to business costs payable at month-end. It is important that you advise CPNI offices if the payment received does not cover medicine wholesaler accounts due on 29th March 2024, and/or associated business costs.
CPNI has provided the anonymised and collated payroll/salary information received from contractors in relation to the impact of recent NMW/NLW increases on the sector. I want to acknowledge the information received by CPNI from Contractors; the information provided was extremely important evidence to support SPPG as they prepare business cases for funding to offset additional NMW/NLW costs.
SPPG has issued correspondence confirming that the eligibility criterion for funding associated with the Rural Pharmacy Access Scheme (RPAS) will change from 1st April 2024, with the main change being that the requirement for pharmacies, in receipt of RPAS funding, to be open 6 days per week is being removed. Contractors in receipt of RPAS funding who wish to close on e.g. Saturday but are contracted to be open on Saturday will be required to seek a variation in contracted opening hours using the Variation in Opening Hours Application Form.
CPNI continues to make representations to DoH(NI), SPPG and the Minister for Health in relation to current funding difficulties. In addition to CPNI’s attendance at the NI Assembly Health Committee meeting on 7th March, CPNI representatives met with the NI Assembly All Party Group (Community Pharmacy) on 19th March 2024. Contractor representation and correspondence to the Minister and MLAs is raising awareness of the difficulties in the sector and the next phase of the current comms strategy is the launch of a Public Awareness campaign in all pharmacies post-Easter. Further information on this will be provided to you after Easter.
I would ask that you read and note the points contained in this Contractor Update and the associated documentation contained within the links to this CU.
It continues to be a very difficult and fraught environment within community pharmacy but I have seen, during numerous recent pharmacy visits, the professionalism and dedication exhibited by contractors and your pharmacy teams in continuing to support and protect your patients during these difficult times; and I want to acknowledge that.
I hope that you and your teams can take time over the Easter break to enjoy time with family and friends.
Please do not hesitate to contact CPNI offices if you require any additional information.
Employers are asked to print and display the poster in staff areas, and bring to the attention of relevant members of the team.
ACTION
Contractors should:
Note the contents of the Pharmacy Technician Newsletters and bring to the attention of relevant members of the pharmacy team.
Advise technician and support staff to join the Technician Regulation Project mailing list to receive all relevant updates.
Contractors should contact CPNI offices should they have any queries on the Pharmacy Technician Regulation Project.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
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