Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Contractor,
Further to yesterday’s Contractor Update, please see attached correspondence from Joe Brogan, Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management, SPPG, issued today regarding arrangements for Community Pharmacy closure on Bank Holiday – Monday, 19 September 2022.

Community pharmacies are asked to ensure that alternative arrangements are in place for those patients who are due to attend for supervision or to collect medications on this day. Additionally, a pharmacy rota will be required, and local Primary Care offices will contact those pharmacies that will be asked to provide cover.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor

  • CPNI are keen to qualify and understand the effects of network pressures such as workforce, workload and medicine supply and the impact this has on patients, communities and pharmacy teams.
  • To capture this information, we have compiled a short survey to allow contractors to share, at a high level, their experiences of these pressures. We would appreciate if you would complete the survey available HERE before Monday, 19 September 2022. It will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor,

We have been liaising with SPPG colleagues regarding the Bank Holiday on Monday 19th September for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral.

We have received confirmation that community pharmacies will be given permission to close and we expect correspondence to be issued by SPPG to this effect. For pharmacies that are contacted by SPPG and asked to provide Rota services on Monday 19th September they will be paid at the enhanced rate of £500 per hour.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor

  • CPNI are keen to qualify and understand the effects of network pressures such as workforce, workload and medicine supply and the impact this has on patients, communities and pharmacy teams.
  • To capture this information, we have compiled a short survey to allow contractors to share, at a high leve, their experiences of these pressures. We would appreciate if you would complete the survey available HERE before Monday, 19 September 2022 . It will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams, including details of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BSO ALERTS

  • Weekly Drug Alerts are available here.
  • Weekly Shortages Information is available here.
  • Serious Shortage Protocols are available here.

CPNI ALERTS

  • Adherence Update 9 September 2022
    • You will be aware that the Interim Adherence Service for Cohort 3 patients was launched on 18 July 2022. The number of referrals from Trusts to community pharmacy have been relatively low so far and we acknowledge there have been some initial difficulties. We continue to link with Trust colleagues to resolve any issues that arise.
    • CPNI has been continuing to work with SPPG colleagues to develop the cohort 2 service. There will be two elements to this service: cohort 2 for new patients and cohort 2 for existing patients. Cohort 2 will involve community pharmacists undertaking an assessment of a patient’s adherence needs and the provision of adherence support if required. We are reaching the final stages of developing this service and would anticipate its start date being in the coming weeks, subject to funding approvals.
    • We recognise the demands for this service and we are hopeful that a service will be in place to facilitate cohort 2 patients in the near future.
  • CPNI Community Pharmacy Contractor Survey – Key Pressures Deadline 19 September 2022
    • CPNI are keen to understand the effects of network pressures such as workforce, workload and medicine supply and the impact this has on patients, communities and pharmacy teams.
    • To capture this information, we have compiled a short survey to allow contractors to share their experiences of these pressures. We would appreciate if you would complete the survey available HERE. It will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.
  • Community Pharmacy COVID-19 (COVID-CPVS) Service 2022/23 Contract Documentation 6 September 2022
  • Community Pharmacy Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (Flu-CPVS) Service 2022/23 Contract Documentation 6 September 2022
  • Community Pharmacy Interim Medicines Adherence Support Service Presentation 6 September 2022
  • REMINDER Pharmacy First: Emergency Hormonal Contraception Contract 5 September 2022

DOH(NI) ALERTS

Pharmacy team(s) can keep updated via CPNI’s Contractor Calendar and Contractor Emails.
Or report medicine shortages, pricing and staffing issues via the CPNI’s Medicine Shortage Reporter and Situation Reporter.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF 
DR. GARETH C. GILVARY
Governance & Support Pharmacist
Dear Colleague
Please find correspondence HERE from Kathryn Turner, Pharmacy Lead, Strategic Planning and Performance Group.

SUMMARY

  • The regional COVID programme will officially begin on 19 September 2022 in tandem with the seasonal Flu programme, however contractors may proceed to vaccinate as soon as they have received deliveries of vaccine. Further details are containing HERE.
  • Community pharmacies will support the COVID-CPVS Vaccination Booster Programme by offering the COVID vaccine to those aged 18 years and above in the following eligible groups:
    • those residing in RQIA registered care homes and staff
    • those aged 50 years and over (including those who turn 50 by 31 March 2023)
    • frontline Health and Social Care Workers
    • pregnant women
    • carers
  • The service specification, PGD and national protocol will be available HERE.
  • Where possible, the DoH and PHA is recommending the co-administration of Flu and COVID-19 vaccines for persons eligible to receive both vaccines.
  • Once a signed contract has been returned to SPPG, community pharmacies can place initial orders with Movianto and should receive their initial delivery after 12 September 2022.
  • Community pharmacies should prioritise vaccination of care home residents and staff, then adults aged 65 years and over and frontline health and social care workers, followed by those aged 50 to 64 years, carers and pregnant women. 
  • All patients vaccinated as part of the COVID-CPVS service must be recorded on the regional Vaccine Management System (VMS).
  • Pharmacy contractors will be reimbursed £10.06 per administered dose of vaccine.
  • An additional payment of £10 per resident will also be paid on top of the cost of service fee, for each resident vaccinated.
  • A set-up fee of £250 will be paid to each contractor providing the 2022/23 service.
  • Tiered payments will be made to a pharmacy achieving in a month Activity;
    • 50-100 vaccines administered per month = £600
    • 101-300 vaccines administered per month = £900
    • >301 vaccines administered per month = £1200

ACTION

  • Contractors and pharmacists involved in the provision of this service are asked to review the correspondence.
  • Contractors are asked to ensure all staff are trained, competent and able to deliver the COVID-CPVS service in line with the service specification.
  • Contractors who do not currently have access to VMS can contact Tom Coyle (Tom.Coyle@hscni.net) who will provide further information on setting up and accessing VMS.
  • For pharmacy contracts wishing to participate in this service, please return by email your completed contract to your local office contact by 5pm Friday 9 September 2022.
  • If you have any queries please contact Deirdre McAree (deirdre.mcaree@hscni.net) or Greg Miller (greg.miller@hscni.net).
  • Please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI office should you require any further information.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive