Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Colleague

Please see below email from Caroline McKeever, North West Regional College, seeking contractor participation in a review of the current Pharmacy Technician NVQ Level 3 course.

If you would like to take part in this review, please let Caroline know by 27th January 2021. Email: Caroline.McKeever@nwrc.ac.uk

Dear employer,
 
I am writing to ask if you would like to take part in an apprenticeship framework review for Pharmacy Technician Level 3. The review will require the voice of employers, ideally those who have had experiences of facilitating the training element required for apprenticeships.
 
Apprenticeships are funded by Department for Economy and are employer-led i.e. based on industry need and relevance for particular job roles.
 
The work that will be required to do this will involve at least 3 remote meetings, and time to review aspects of the framework and qualifications within.  Your primary role within this forum will involve consultancy/advisory roles; to help shape the new framework provision.
 
Proposed timeframe/tasks for completion are:
Meeting 1: Baseline review of current framework (end Feb 2021)
Meeting 2: Pathways and progression options for Pharmacy Technicians (end March 2021)
Meeting 3: Skills demand, forecast (end April 2021)
 
I will facilitate all communications to Department for Economy. At the end of stage 1 (tasks as listed above), I will be able to progress proposals through the Department for consideration, for change and modernisation of the apprenticeship framework. The entire process could take up to 18 months. However, the sooner we commence the work, the quicker we can see to the end of the review, with a polished product, serving your needs.
 
If you would like to take part in this review, please let me know by 27th January 2021. Email me at: Caroline.McKeever@nwrc.ac.uk
 
Looking forward to your reply,
 
Kind regards
Caroline

Yours sincerely

SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

Dear Colleague

Please find here for your attention, correspondence from Dr Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer on the deployment plan for the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine in Northern Ireland. 

Please note this follows our recent communication, sent on behalf of Mrs Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, outlining the Department’s plan for COVID-19 vaccine rollout to community pharmacy teams.

Yours sincerely

Vanessa

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

Please find below an urgent communication sent on behalf of Mrs Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer to all Community Pharmacy Teams

Dear Colleague

I know that many of you are anxious about when you will be offered the Covid-19 vaccine and I am writing to provide you with reassurance that community pharmacy staff will be among the first people in Northern Ireland to be vaccinated.  From early in the New Year the health and social care workers’ vaccination programme will be open to all eligible workers in Trusts and the independent sector including in our pharmacies. Providing the vaccine on this scale will be as a huge logistical operation and plans are being developed to enable staff to book an appointment to receive the vaccine at one of the 7 Trust run vaccination sites.  Further details on how staff can book their appointment to receive the vaccine will be released shortly.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued dedication to the service of your communities and to reassure you again that you will have access to the vaccine soon.

Kindest regards

Cathy

Mrs Cathy Harrison
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer
Department of Health
Castle Buildings
Stormont
Belfast
BT4 3SQ

DRUG ALERTS available here: BSO Communications (Drug Alerts)

NO NEW ALERTS since 16 December 2020

SHORTAGES INFORMATION available here: BSO Shortages Information

MPS 2746 – Supply Alert – 21 December 2020 Docusate Sodium 100mg Caps

MPS 2745 – Supply Alert – 21 December 2020 Zemtard (Diltiazem) 240mg XL Caps

Pharmacy team(s) can keep updated with drug information, alerts and shortages information via CPNI’s Contractor Calendar or via the BSO communication website.
 
Please continue to notify CPNI of any pricing issues you are experiencing via our new Medicine Shortage Reporter.
 
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).

Kind regards and stay safe.

SENT ON BEHALF OF GARETH C. GILVARY | Governance & Support Pharmacist




Dear Contractor

The Department of Health has written out to contractors outlining the position in respect of the opening arrangements for community pharmacies in light of the additional COVID restrictions here.

Action

Contractors are asked to note the content of the letter and the exemptions relating to community pharmacy, and ensure that they are working in line with legal requirements.

CPNI colleagues will keep you updated with any further developments.

Yours sincerely

Mike

Sent on behalf of Prof Mike Mawhinney | Head of Regulatory Affairs