Archives: Contractor Email

— HIGH PRIORITY —

Dear Colleague

We have been asked by the HSC Board to advise that from week commencing 13th April 2020, there will be two options available for testing for COVID19 for community pharmacy staff, or their household contacts, displaying symptoms and therefore requiring staff to self-isolate:

  • Booking through the GP practice of the person with symptoms
  • Booking an appointment at the Belfast SSE ARENA

Please read the attached letter for further details and information

Booking an appointment for the SSE Arena facility
If you are eligible for a test, you should phone the numbers below to book a test. Lines are open from 9.30am to 11.30am each day (including weekends). Please note that a number of appointments (15) are available for each time slot. Please do not leave a message. If you are unable to get through please try again later. 

Appointment slots open for booking the day before the test date.

Date appointment should be booked Time of Test Phone Number to book appointment
The day before the date of the test 2.00 pm 028 95361053
2.30 pm 028 95361010

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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TO: Community Pharmacies participating in Belfast On-Call Scheme

Dear Colleague,

Please find attached correspondence that has been issued by HSCB to all pharmacies involved in the Belfast on-call service.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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— HIGH PRIORITY —

Dear Colleague

We have been asked by the HSC Board to advise that from week commencing 13th April 2020, there will be two options available for testing for COVID19 for community pharmacy staff, or their household contacts, displaying symptoms and therefore requiring staff to self-isolate:

  • Booking an appointment at the Belfast SSE ARENA
  • Booking through the GP practice of the person with symptoms

#### Please read the attached letter for further details and information ####

Appointments available at the Belfast SSE ARENA** tomorrow are as follows.

Date of Test Time Of Test   15 appointments slots are available at each time.
15 April 2020 2.00 pm
15 April 2020 2.30 pm

**It is expected the demand for staff/family testing may exceed the capacity available.  Additionally it is accepted that this time scale and/or venue may not be suitable for everyone.

***** URGENT ACTION IS REQUIRED TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT at the SSE ARENA tomorrow as follows;

Date of Test Date appointment should be booked Time of Test Phone Number to book appointment
15 April 2020 14 April 2020 2.00 pm 028 95 361055
15 April 2020 14 April 2020 2.30 pm 028 95 361080

Information required to book a test

You will need to provide the information below when you ring to book a test:

  • Full Name of the person being tested
  • Full name of Community Pharmacy HCW (if different from person being tested)
  • H+C Number of person being tested (if available / known – test can still proceed if not available)
  • DOB of person being tested
  • Mobile Number of person being tested (or responsible adult)
  • Email address of person being tested (or responsible adult)
  • Vehicle Registration number of the car used to attend the test
  • Community pharmacy name and address

After you book your test, you will then be emailed a letter (after 4.00pm) outlining:

  • What you need to bring with you to the test
  • What to do when you arrive at the test centre
  • How to take the test
  • What to do when the test is completed
  • How and when you will get your results

NB If this email does not arrive in your in-box, please check your spam or junk email box in case it has gone there.

Contacting the GP practice to requests a test for the person with symptoms

Testing can be requested by contacting the GP of the symptomatic patient in the usual way and explaining that the patient is eligible for COVID-19 testing.  Following authorisation of the test by the GP, the relevant Trust carrying out the test will contact the patient to arrange an appointment for the test and advise where and when this will take place. Test results will be returned to the authorising GP who will share with the patient (see flow chart in Appendix 1 in the attachment).  Outside of GP working hours, testing is available through Out of Hours centres.

Further information on booking arrangements are contained in the attachment provided by the HSC Board.

Further updates will be provided when information is received from HSCB.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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Dear Colleague

ARRANGEMENTS FOR URGENT PANDEMIC PACK (NURSING HOMES WITH ≥59 BEDS)

Please find attached for your attention and onward distribution as appropriate, correspondence from Joe Brogan, Assistant Director of Integrated Care, Head of Pharmacy and Medicines Management and Dr Margaret O’Brien, Assistant Director of Integrated Care, Head of GMS.

Please note these new arrangements will be introduced w/c Monday 13th April 2020.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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Dear Colleague,

IMPORTANT: Easter Rota Belfast Update

Please see a slightly amended Easter rota for Belfast, two pharmacies had been omitted from the previous HSCB list.

GPs have also been made aware of this amendment.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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Dear Colleague,

Letter from Robin Swann MLA, Minister for Health to Community Pharmacy Teams

I have been asked to share this personal letter of support and recognition from Robin Swann MLA, Minister for Health for the enthusiasm, commitment and contribution by all members of the pharmacy teams across Northern Ireland during COVID19.

The Minister states that the population of Northern Ireland owes a huge debt of gratitude to community pharmacy teams and the Minister reaffirms his continued support for you and your teams efforts.

Please share this letter with your pharmacy team members.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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