CPNI issued a contractor email on 10 March 2025 regarding a NICPLD pilot to encourage DPP support for Community Pharmacists undertaking the NICPLD Independent Prescriber training course. The pilot has now launched and information is available here or on the NICPLD facebook page. An information webinar will be held this evening from 7-8pm.
SUMMARY
As outlined in NICPLD’s letter, funding of £1500 is available for up to 50 eligible DPPs who agree to support a community pharmacist to undertake the NICPLD IP training programme, commencing August 2025.
DPPs can be medical or non-medical prescribers (such as community pharmacist IPs) and must meet the DPP criteria outlined in the NICPLD letter.
Those interested in being a DPP can express their interest here.
The deadline for community pharmacists to submit applications for IP training has been extended to 15 April 2025.
An information webinar for prospective applicants or DPPs will be held this evening Monday 24th March, 7-8pm with registration available by emailing nicpld-prescribing@qub.ac.uk.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to note the information provided in the NICPLD letter and the flyer and share with relevant members of the team, including any community pharmacists considering IP training, and any existing community pharmacist IPs who may consider acting as a DPP under the support scheme.
Queries on the DPP support scheme can be sent to Nicpld-prescribing@qub.ac.uk. Alternatively, please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI team or email Ennis.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
Autumn 2024/25 Community Pharmacy Flu Vaccination Programme
REMINDER:
The Autumn 2024/25 Flu vaccination programme is coming to an end on Monday 31 March 2025.
Providers are requested to not vaccinate eligible cohorts after this date.
Please share this information with all relevant staff to allow adequate time for clinic arrangements and stock management.
Collaborative Forum for Community Pharmacy ECHO Network
An ECHO session is being held on Tuesday 01 April 2025 to discuss Public Health Community Pharmacy Services. Further information can be found here.
Topic: Update on Public Health Community Pharmacy Services covering Living Well, Stop Smoking and Harm Reduction Services (OST, Needle and Syringe Exchange)
Join via Audio only: 020 3695 0088 and follow the instructions
Pharmacy Student Research
CPNI has been contacted by a final year pharmacy student undertaking research on community pharmacist workforce retention.
The student requires input from a range of community pharmacists participants and would be grateful for any support provided. Further information and contact details for those who wish to be involved are available in the research flyer.
Inquiry into Access to GPs in Northern Ireland
The Public Accounts Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into Access to General Practice in Northern Ireland. Members of the public can find out more about the inquiry here – Access to General Practice in Northern Ireland. An online survey to gather views will remain open until 27 March 2025.
For the attention of all community pharmacies who are contracted to provide the Pharmacy First Sore Throat Service Winter 24/25
Dear Contractor
SPPG have issued correspondence on 20 March 2025 regarding the Pharmacy First Sore Throat Service Winter 2024/25.
SPPG have confirmed that the service will be extended for a further two months until 31 May 2025.
Pharmacies may wish to continue to promote the service on social media platforms using the resources available on the BSO website.
Please contact your Pharmacy Advisor at SPPG offices if you have any further queries.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
**FAO LIVING WELL PHARMACIES ONLY**
Dear Contractor
SPPG have issued correspondence on 20 March 2025 regarding the Living Well Service.
SUMMARY
The first campaign of 25/26 ‘Be Cancer Aware’ will commence on 01 April 2025. The campaign aims to promote early cancer diagnosis by raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer, and will promote healthy changes to help reduce risk.
Resources will be provided by 24 March 2025 and as per the service specification, posters should be displayed in at least one window of the pharmacy.
If resources are not received by 24 March 2025, email reception.pha@hscni.net and ensure the email subject is titled ‘LIVNG WELL PHARMACY CAMPAIGN’. Failure to report this by 7 April 2025 will result in no resources being provided.
PHA will release social media posts to support the campaign which can be shared on social media channels. Resources are also available to download on the BSO website.
Training resources will be detailed in the campaign briefing.
A requirement for the Living Well service is to complete an online survey for each campaign. Further information on this can be found in the letter.
The survey opening and closing dates have been added to the BSO 2025 calendar provided to all contractors.
The final campaign for 24/25 ‘Look after your mental health’ will finish on 31 March 2025. The survey will open on 31 March 2025 at 9am, and close on 28 April 2025 at 6pm.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to read the correspondence issued by SPPG on 20 March 2025 regarding the Living Well Service and share with all relevant members of the team.
Please contact CPNI offices if you have any questions in relation to this correspondence.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Reminder:Those community pharmacies who are yet to complete the CPAF declaration form for 24/25, can do so using the following link. If any contractors are unsure if they have submitted a declaration, please contact Tom Coyle at SPPG for clarification to avoid duplication.
Dear Colleague,
SPPG have issued correspondence regarding the Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework on 27 February 2025.
SUMMARY
SPPG is seeking completion of the Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework (CPAF) declaration form for your pharmacy, for the 2024/25 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 2024/25 year.
The declaration form is now to be completed by Monday10 March 2025 on MS forms using the following link here.
A payment of £1200 will be made to each pharmacy, upon return of the completed declaration for compliance with the CPAF process in 2024/25.
Last year community pharmacies will have submitted a copy of their practice leaflet and complaints procedure alongside their CPAF declaration for 2023/24. If either of these has changed since last year’s submission, SPPG have requested a copy to be emailed to your local Primary Care Office by 31 March 2025.
The resumed CPAF visits will continue as per the SPPG process, and pharmacies will be contacted directly if selected for a visit.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to review the correspondence issued by SPPG on 27 February 2025 and share with all relevant team members.
Please contact your Pharmacy Advisor at local offices for any queries regarding this correspondence.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
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