CPNI wishes to draw attention to important information relating to the Foundation Training Year 2026/2027 which was published on the NICPLD website today at approx. 1.30pm.
SUMMARY
The FTY 2026/2027 Terms of Participation and other relevant documents are now available here.
CPNI has not had an opportunity to view, provide comments or seek specific legal opinion on the FTY Terms of Participation prior to its being published on the NICPLD website today.
CPNI understands that contractors will be invited to “opt-in” to participating in FTY 2026/2027 from tomorrow. The “opt-in” window will remain open from 9 April 2025 to 25 April 2025.
ACTION
CPNI would urge any contractors who are considering participation in the FTY 2026/2027 programme to:
Prior to making any decision to “Opt-in” take time to review and seek any necessary HR or legal advice on the FTY documentation now available on the NICPLD website, including the
Note that other relevant documents such as the finalised curriculum for FTY 2026/2027, and NICPLD SOPs for the delivery and quality monitoring of the programme are not yet available to employers and are not likely to be finalised until a later stage, after which employers may have already “opted-in”.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI team or email Ennis.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
FTY 2026/2027 NICPLD Webinar Tuesday 8th April 2025
Dear Contractor
This update provides further information for consideration by contractors and pharmacists in relation to the provision of Foundation Training Year (FTY) placements in 2026/27.CPNI issued previous updates on FTY 2026/2027 on 25 March 2025 and 2 April 2025.
SUMMARY
NICPLD has issued correspondence inviting contractors and pharmacists to an information Webinar on 8 April 2025, 7-8pm.
Community pharmacies will be invited to “opt-in” to the FTY 2026/27 process between 9 – 25 April 2025.
CPNI would encourage any contractor considering participation to attend the Webinar and then take the necessary time to review and consider:
The new joint selection, recruitment and admission process. Note: NICPLD outline is available here.
The Terms of Participation. Note: The Terms have not yet been shared with CPNI or contractors.
The FTY Framework and Curriculum. Note: The 2026/2027 documents are not yet available, however the 2025/2026 documents can be viewed on the NICPLD website here.
REMINDER
FTY 2026/2027 will involve a joint selection, recruitment and admission process. See CPNI updates sent on 25 March 2025 and 2 April 2025 for further information.
Community pharmacy employers will no longer be able to interview or select their FTY trainee, as the trainee will be allocated by the NICPLD process.
Once allocated, the community pharmacy will be the trainee’s employer for their placement and will have all the associated employer obligations such as pre-employment checks and making any adjustments in line with the Disability Discrimination Act.
Additionally, FTY employers will be required to agree to a Terms of Participation agreement with NICPLD.
CPNI has not yet been provided with an opportunity to review the proposed Terms of Participation and as such there are aspects which we would wish to discuss further and seek advice on.
ACTION
Contractors considering involvement in FTY 2026/2027 are encouraged to attend the NICPLD Webinar on 8 April 2025.
CPNI asks that contractors consider deferring any decision to ‘opt-in’ to the FTY process until CPNI has had an opportunity to review the necessary information relating to the new joint 2026/27 FTY selection, recruitment and admission process, the Terms of Participation (yet to be shared by NICPLD), and the FTY Framework. This will enable CPNI to provide a further update to contractors in advance of the 25 April 2025 “opt-in” closing date.
NICPLD has indicated that employers can ask questions during the webinar, or can send queries in advance to nicpld-fty@qub.ac.uk.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI team or email Ennis.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Further to the joint correspondence by the healthcare representative organisations (BDA, Optometry NI, BMI NI and CPNI) to the Minister for Health in November 2024 in relation to the National Insurance Contribution (NIC) and Minimum Wage increases from April 2025. The organisations have issued a press release today which was picked up by the following media outlets:
These links have been added to CPNI social media channels, and you may wish to repost these on your own social media.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence (here) dated 3 April 2025 giving details of SSP082 relating to Estradot® (estradiol) 25mcg/24 hours transdermal patch. This SSP expires on Friday 2 May 2025.
BACKGROUND
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.
Pharmacists should refer to the latest versions of the existing SSPs which are now available on the Business Services Organisation dedicated page on its website HERE.
Operational guidance on the implementation of SSPs in Northern Ireland can be found on the BSO website HERE.
Note the specific key points relating to this SSP as highlighted in the letter;
Ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of this correspondence;
Note additional guidance relating to the decision pathways for SSPs; notification of GPs; the need for patient/carer agreement, and action to take when this is not given; professional judgement; and actions regarding unclear quantities.
Contractors are reminded of information issued by BSO ‘Serious Shortage Protocols: Submission Information for Contractors’ which can be accessed 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
The Department of Health NI has issued correspondence here dated 3 April 2025 relating to SSP079, SSP080 and SSP081 (Estradot® 50mcg patches, Estradot® 75mcg patches and Estradot® 100mcg patches) extending their expiry dates to Friday 2 May 2025.
BACKGROUND
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.
Pharmacists should refer to the latest versions of the existing SSPs which are now available on the Business Services Organisation dedicated page on its website HERE.
Operational guidance on the implementation of SSPs in Northern Ireland can be found on the BSO website HERE.
ACTION
Contractors should:
Review the letter here dated 3 April 2025, and ensure that their dispensary teams are aware of the extension of the expiry dates of SSP079, SSP080 and SSP081 to Friday 2 May 2025, and that they are also aware of the specific details relating to these SSPs; and
Note guidance relating to the decision pathways for SSPs; notification of GPs; the need for patient/carer agreement, and action to take when this is not given; professional judgement; and actions regarding unclear quantities.
Contractors are reminded of information issued by BSO ‘Serious Shortage Protocols: Submission Information for Contractors’ which can be accessed 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
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
Community Pharmacies across Northern Ireland can now sign up to the Daffodil Standards for palliative and end of life care
The Daffodil Standards are a joint initiative between the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Marie Curie – Northern Ireland that aim to build on the high standard of care already provided to palliative care patients and their families by community pharmacy teams.
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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