Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Colleague

New Arrangements RE: Access to Oxygen Giving Sets via Sangers/AAH during COVID-19

We have been advised that some contractors may recently have experienced difficulties in accessing oxygen cylinder accessories, particularly regulators required to replace faulty equipment for nursing home patients, where the cylinder has been provided by a community pharmacy.

In response to increased demand, BOC have created an “oxygen giving set” comprising a regulator, tubing, facemask and cylinder key.

Distribution of these sets will be via Sangers/AAH and contractors are asked to order supplies when required.

Please keep CPNI office informed if you have any further difficulty accessing any level of oxygen equipment.

 Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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***REMINDER***

CPNI COVID SURVEY DEADLINE EXTENDED until tomorrow – Wednesday 20th May 2020

FAO INDEPENDENT & SMALL CHAIN CONTRACTORS

Dear Colleague,

Thank you to those who have completed the CPNI COVID survey to date.

I urge all contractors to complete this survey as a matter of urgency. The information gathered is vital to gather insight into how you and your staff have been coping and to allow us to plan for community pharmacy as we move to the next phase of the COVID pandemic. It will allow us to gather positive patient stories which you may have, to demonstrate the value of community pharmacy, as the frontline health service during in the pandemic. Most crucially, we will convey the summary findings to HSCB and DH on the extraordinary professionalism shown by pharmacy teams to support patient and what resources are required by the sector as we move forward.

We would appreciate if you could complete a short survey, available at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MHDB6Z2

Survey Monkey is the preferred option for return, however, the attached word version of the survey may be completed

The information contained in this questionnaire will be treated completely confidentially and CPNI absolutely respects any contractor who wishes to remain anonymous. It is however vitally important that we do get some level of information in order to accurately demonstrate the impact on the ground. 

Please do not hesitate to contact CPNI Office on 028 9069 0444 for further advice or support.

Thank you.

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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Dear Colleague

COVID-19 CASE DEFINITION CHANGE

HSCB has issued a letter from the Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health (attached) in regards to COVID-19 case definition.

Summary

From today the general clinical case definition for COVID-19 has been updated to include loss of or change in smell or taste. It is now: 

New continuous cough OR fever OR loss of/ change in smell or taste 

Everyone, including health and social care workers, should self-isolate if they develop a new continuous cough or fever or loss of/change in smell or taste. 

The individual’s household should also self-isolate for 14 days as per the current guidelines. The individual should stay at home for 7 days, or longer if they still have a fever.  

Action

Contractors should:

  • Make their staff aware of the change in definition and take any appropriate action in respect of isolation.

CPNI will continue to advise and support you in the weeks ahead.

Kind regards

Mike

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

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HSS(MD) 35 2020 - COVID-10 Case Definition Change

NEW CAS alert - 15 May CW

*CPNI COVID SURVEY DEADLINE EXTENDED until Wednesday 20th May 2020*

FAO INDEPENDENT & SMALL CHAIN CONTRACTORS

Dear Colleague,

Thank you to those who have completed the CPNI COVID survey to date.

I urge all contractors to complete this survey as a matter of urgency. The information gathered is vital to gather insight into how you and your staff have been coping and to allow us to plan for community pharmacy as we move to the next phase of the COVID pandemic. It will allow us to gather positive patient stories which you may have, to demonstrate the value of community pharmacy, as the frontline health service during in the pandemic. Most crucially, we will convey the summary findings to HSCB and DH on the extraordinary professionalism shown by pharmacy teams to support patient and what resources are required by the sector as we move forward.

We would appreciate if you could complete a short survey, available at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MHDB6Z2

Survey Monkey is the preferred option for return, however, the attached word version of the survey may be completed

The information contained in this questionnaire will be treated completely confidentially and CPNI absolutely respects any contractor who wishes to remain anonymous. It is however vitally important that we do get some level of information in order to accurately demonstrate the impact on the ground. 

Please do not hesitate to contact CPNI Office on 028 9069 0444 for further advice or support.

Thank you.

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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Dear Colleague

Prescribing Rights for Registered Therapeutic Radiographers, Dietitians and Paramedics in Northern Ireland

HSCB has forwarded to you a letter from the Department of Health (attached) with regards to proposed changes to legislation impacting on prescribing rights for Therapeutic Radiographers, Dietitians and Paramedics. 

Summary

Legislation is currently in place through the UK wide Human Medicines Regulations (HMRS) 2012 to permit therapeutic radiographers and paramedics to act as independent prescribers and dietitians to carry out the role of a supplementary prescriber. This is subject to the completion of appropriate training and registration with the HCPC.  

Currently in Northern Ireland such professionals are permitted to prescribe in secondary care only and further legislative changes are required to enable prescribing in primary care. 

The Department has commenced the work needed to amend the Pharmaceutical Services Regulations (NI) 1997 and Health and Personal Social Services (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 to enable prescribing in a primary care setting. A further update on these changes will be available in due course.

Action

Contractors should:

  • Make their dispensary teams aware of the on-going amendments and await further notification and guidance.

CPNI will continue to advise and support you in the weeks ahead.

Kind regards

Mike

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

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LETTER FROM CATHY HARRISON, CPO AND JENNY KEANE, CAHPO REF CURRENT PRES...

REMINDER

FAO MULTIPLE CONTRACTOR

Dear Colleague,

CPNI: COVID PANDEMIC SURVEY

CPNI are keen to understand the impact the ongoing COVID pandemic is having on you and your pharmacy team(s), personally and professionally.  Your input to this survey is vital to get an understanding of the pressures pharmacy teams are facing during the COVID-pandemic and for future planning of community pharmacy services.

We would appreciate if you could complete a short survey, available at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/X2FGPGW

Survey Monkey is the preferred option for return, however, the attached word version of the survey may be completed

The closing date for submission of the survey is Monday 18th May 2020.

The information contained in this questionnaire will be treated completely confidentially and CPNI absolutely respects any contractor who wishes to remain anonymous. It is however vitally important that we do get some level of information in order to accurately demonstrate the impact on the ground. 

Please do not hesitate to contact CPNI Office on 028 9069 0444 for further advice or support.

Thank you.

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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