Archives: Contractor Email

FOR THE ATTENTION OF CONTRACTORS PROVIDING FLU VACCINATION SERVICE FOR HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE WORKERS

Dear Colleague

UPDATE

Please find correspondence for your attention from Kathryn Turner, Pharmacy Lead, HSCB.

COVID-19 VACCINATION – CO-ADMINISTERING VACCINES TO CARE HOMES

UPDATE – COVID-19 VACCINATION – CARE HOME CLINICS

SUMMARY

  • Pharmacists should make care homes aware of the recommended 7 day interval (before and after) between administration of COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines.                                                                                               
  • Pharmacists should be aware of the 21 day interval between COVID-19 vaccination doses and arrange pharmacy influenza vaccination clinics around this.                                                                                                          
  • The COVID-19 Vaccination Programme has started within Care homes, via the Trust Mobile Units and the schedule has been made available for your information.                                                                                                       
  • As the schedule is subject to change it is recommended the pharmacy contact the Care home to ensure any influenza vaccination clinics can continue as planned and that the recommended interval between administration of COVID-19 vaccines and Influenza vaccines is being adhered to.

Yours sincerely

Vanessa

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF DR. VANESSA CHAMBERS |Head of Policy & Development

Dear Colleague

Please find here correspondence for your attention from Kathryn Turner, Pharmacy Lead, HSCB.

Also see;

Service Specification

Discussion Template

Service Contract 2020/2021

In Summary

  • The correspondence provides an update in relation to pharmacy services that are in place to support Care Homes at this time i.e. the existing Advice to Nursing and Residential Care Homes Service and a new Care Home Pandemic Support Service enhancement.                                                                                    
  • Those community pharmacies currently contracted with HSCB to provide the ‘Advice to Nursing and Residential Care Homes’ service to individual Care Homes should continue to submit claims as usual. It is accepted that while some aspects of the service such as the on-site visits to Care homes cannot take place at this present time, a level of service is being provided and payments will therefore continue.                                                                        
  • It is recognised that the existing service Advice to Nursing and Residential Care Homes Service no longer meets the medicine management needs of Care homes and HSCB, CPNI and DoH will work to establish a revised service in 2021.                               
  • The aim of the new Care Home Pandemic Support Service enhancement is to ensure that nursing and residential care homes receive an enhanced level of pharmaceutical advice and support during the pandemic period from the community pharmacist, particularly at times when on-site visits are not possible. This support will help nursing and residential care homes ensure the safe handling and correct administration of drugs/medicines supplied to their residents during the COVID19 pandemic. The additional service will operate from December 2020 to March 2021.                                                                                                  
  • Funding for the new service enhancement is dependent on the number of beds in the registered care home. Payment will be paid on a monthly basis on receipt of the returned contract to your local office.

Action Required

  • All contractors wishing to participate in this service, should return a completed contract to your local office as soon as possible. Please note all Nursing and Residential Care Homes which will be supported by the community pharmacy should be listed on the contract.                                                                 
  • Contractors should read the enclosed service specification carefully and ensure that all relevant staff are trained and competent to deliver this service. Service documentation is also available on the BSO website at http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/2271.htm                   
  • A HSCB communication to Care Homes will advise them of this service. If you have any query about this service, please contact your local HSCB office.

Yours sincerely

Vanessa

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF DR. VANESSA CHAMBERS | Head of Policy & Development

Dear Colleague

Please find correspondence here for your information from Rodney Morton, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals, PHA.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

Dear Colleague
 
The Department of Health (NI) has asked us to make pharmacy contractors aware of the UK-wide Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) Codeword Scheme which will be launched nationally in early January.
 
This domestic abuse codeword scheme is being established in pharmacies to enable victims of domestic abuse to access support within their community, from the safety of their local pharmacy.
 
Contractors wishing to participate in the scheme may access training materials and posters at the given links (Ask for ANI materials / Ask for ANI & Safe Spaces materials) and are asked to complete an online form to confirm their decision to provide the scheme and to ensure that staff watch the training animation and read the guidance.

Yours sincerely

Vanessa

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF DR VANESSA CHAMBERS | Head of Policy & Development

Dear Colleague
 
Please see correspondence here from Dr Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer; Professor Charlotte McArdle, Chief Nursing Officer; and Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive