Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Colleague,

For your information, the following have been updated today (10/04/2020) and are available at http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/3124.htm:

  • HSCB/DH Community Pharmacy COVID-19 FAQs
  • HSCB/ DH Staff Protection checklist
  • HSCB checklist and guidance for  Community Pharmacies to consider When Closing During Pandemic

As you are aware this is a rapidly evolving situation and therefore the information will need to be updated regularly. 

The most up to date version will always be hosted at the above link.

Please share this information with your colleagues.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

— HIGH PRIORITY —

Dear Colleague

We have been asked by the HSC Board to advise that a limited numbers of appointments for COVID-19 testing for community pharmacy team members have been secured over EASTER at the SSE ARENA.

***** URGENT ACTION IS REQUIRED TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT – BOOKINGS ARE REQUIRED BETWEEN 9.30PM AND 11.30PM EACH DAY *****

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

Please be assured that work is ongoing to ensure that additional appointments and sites are available to increase the capacity for testing.  Community pharmacy staff will be kept informed accordingly.

  • It is important to recognise that the earlier the test is done following the onset of symptoms, the more reliable the result.
  • Testing of HCWs is normally of greatest benefit during days 1 to 5 of symptoms.
  • Testing of HCWs who would normally be expected to return to work in 72 hours may not be considered to be a priority.
  • Children under 5 years of age will not normally be tested due to problems with their levels of cooperation with the testing process.

Eligibility for testing will be as follows:

  • If you are self-isolating because you are displaying COVID 19 symptoms then you are eligible to take this test yourself.
  • If you are self-isolating because someone in your household is displaying COVID 19 symptoms, and that person is over the age of 18 then they are eligible to take the test – not you 
  • If you are self-isolating because an under 18 year old in your household is displaying symptoms then they are eligible – but a parent or guardian must perform the swab test on them, only if they are comfortable doing so
  • If you are self-isolating but neither a member of your household or you are displaying symptoms then you are not eligible for a test.

Note: Common COVID 19 symptoms include a new continuous cough and a high temperature >37.8oC

Important information on booking arrangements is contained in the attachment provided by the HSC Board.

This is an extremely encouraging development and we expect opportunities for testing to become more widely available over the next few days. Further updates will be provided when confirmation is received.

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 a limited numbers of appointments for COVID-19 testing for community pharmacy team members have been secured for tomorrow, FRIDAY 10TH APRIL 2020 at the SSE ARENA.

***** URGENT ACTION IS REQUIRED TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT – BOOKINGS ARE REQUIRED BETWEEN 1.30PM AND 3.30PM TODAY *****

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

Please be assured that work is ongoing to ensure that additional appointments and sites are available to increase the capacity for testing.  Community pharmacy staff will be kept informed accordingly.

  • It is important to recognise that the earlier the test is done following the onset of symptoms, the more reliable the result.
  • Testing of HCWs is normally of greatest benefit during days 1 to 5 of symptoms.
  • Testing of HCWs who would normally be expected to return to work in 72 hours may not be considered to be a priority.
  • Children under 5 years of age will not normally be tested due to problems with their levels of cooperation with the testing process.

Eligibility for testing will be as follows:

  • If you are self-isolating because you are displaying COVID 19 symptoms then you are eligible to take this test yourself.
  • If you are self-isolating because someone in your household is displaying COVID 19 symptoms, and that person is over the age of 18 then they are eligible to take the test – not you 
  • If you are self-isolating because an under 18 year old in your household is displaying symptoms then they are eligible – but a parent or guardian must perform the swab test on them, only if they are comfortable doing so
  • If you are self-isolating but neither a member of your household or you are displaying symptoms then you are not eligible for a test.

Note: Common COVID 19 symptoms include a new continuous cough and a high temperature >37.8oC

  1. Booking a Test

If you are eligible for a test, you should phone one of the following numbers today (Thursday 9th April 2020) to book an appointment fortomorrow, Friday 10th April 2020.

Lines will be open from 1.30-3.30pm this afternoon. Please note that a number of appointments (15) are available for each time slot. Note: Please do not leave a message. If you are unable to get through please try again later. 

  • Phone 028 95 362532: for appointments at 2pm
  • Phone 028 95 362784: for appointments at 2.30pm

Please note the information required when making the appointments will be:

  • Full Name of the person being tested
  • Full name of Community Pharmacy HCW (if different from person being tested)
  • Health and Care 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

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

This is an extremely encouraging development and we expect opportunities for testing to become more widely available over the next few days. Further updates will be provided when confirmation is received.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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*** REMINDER ***

Dear Colleague,

COVID Emergency: Community Pharmacy DAILY SITUATION REPORT

HSCB are asking all pharmacies to ensure you complete a Community Pharmacy SITREP Report on a daily basis during the COVID 19 emergency. The purpose of this form is to ascertain the daily situation of community pharmacy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This will allow for updating of a map of pharmacy opening hours and current closures for members of the public.

It will also provide a daily report to HSCB and others on status and pressures Community Pharmacy are working under currently.

This form acts as notification of closure to the HSCB, should that be required. Closures and other ‘Red-ratings’ will be followed up as soon as possible by the HSCB, by telephone in first instance.

Kind regards,

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

Dear Colleague,

Further to ContractorUpdate email #46 issued this afternoon we have been asked by the HSC Board to advise that a limited numbers of appointments for COVID-19 testing for community pharmacy team members remain available for tomorrow afternoon, WEDNESDAY 8TH APRIL at the SSE ARENA.

***** URGENT ACTION IS REQUIRED TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT – BOOKINGS ARE REQUIRED to be made BETWEEN  9.30-11.00am, tomorrow morning, WEDNESDAY 8th APRIL*****

The following phone lines should be contacted BETWEEN  9.30-11.00am, tomorrow morning, WEDNESDAY 8th APRIL to book appointments for testing tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon:

  • Phone 028 95 362532: for appointments at 3pm
  • Phone 028 95 362784: for appointments at 3.30pm

Please note the information required when making the appointments will be:

  • Full Name of the person being tested
  • Full name of Community Pharmacy HCW (if different from person being tested)
  • Health and Care 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

Please be assured that work is ongoing to ensure that additional appointments and sites are available to increase the capacity for testing.  Community pharmacy staff will be kept informed accordingly.

  • It is important to recognise that the earlier the test is done following the onset of symptoms, the more reliable the result.
  • Testing of HCWs is normally of greatest benefit during days 1 to 5 of symptoms.
  • Testing of HCWs who would normally be expected to return to work in 72 hours may not be considered to be a priority.
  • Children under 5 years of age will not normally be tested due to problems with their levels of cooperation with the testing process.

Eligibility for testing will be as follows:

  • If you are self-isolating because you are displaying COVID 19 symptoms then you are eligible to take this test yourself.
  • If you are self-isolating because someone in your household is displaying COVID 19 symptoms, and that person is over the age of 18 then they are eligible to take the test – not you 
  • If you are self-isolating because an under 18 year old in your household is displaying symptoms then they are eligible – but a parent or guardian must perform the swab test on them, only if they are comfortable doing so
  • If you are self-isolating but neither a member of your household or you are displaying symptoms then you are not eligible for a test.

Note: Common COVID 19 symptoms include a new continuous cough and a high temperature >37.8oC

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

This is an extremely encouraging development and we expect opportunities for testing to become more widely available over the next few days. Further updates will be provided when confirmation is received.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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Dear Colleague,

The first consignment of Bloc FaceShield visors will be delivered by Sangers AAH to community pharmacies from tomorrow – Wednesday 8th April 2020 with a second dispatch expected Friday 10th/Monday 13th April 2020.

The primary advice for PPE still remains as the DoH guidance issued on Thursday 2nd April and the Bloc FaceShield visors are supplementary safeguard measures for pharmacy staff.

The visors require self-assembly and instructions can be found at the following YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8yMrECP4_0&t=26s.

It is recommended that each visor should be labelled with individual staff members names and should be stored safely when not in use.

I would ask contractors to advise the pharmacist lead at each branch to be aware of the pending delivery and also to be familiar with the visor self-assembly instructions and protocols as above.

The cost associated with the provision of these FaceShields is being borne entirely by CPNI to offer some extra reassurance to you and your staff at this challenging time.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive