Archives: Contractor Email

Dear Colleague

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) in conjunction with Community Pharmacy NI, is introducing a temporary Community Pharmacy Emergency Supply during a Pandemic Service. This service will commence on Monday 6th April 2020.

By Friday 3rd April 2020, it is anticipated that all contractors will have received an initial allocation of 200 x NCR (non-carbon required) duplicate copy pharmacy vouchers (PV1s). These PV1s are distinct from those used to deliver the Minor Ailments Service and Smoking Cessation Service. A copy of the Service Specification / Guidance for Pharmacists for this service will accompany the delivery of PV1s.

Please see attached HSCB correspondence for more information.

CPNI have produced a training video for pharmacy staff on the Emergency Supply during a Pandemic Service, which can be found here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eLe_HjRW0c.

A HSCB Project Echo training session will be held on Tuesday 7th April 2020, more details to follow.

All documentation for the service can be found here http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/3124.htm

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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Dear Colleague

Staff Protection Checklist: record of reasonable measures implemented

Recent notification was forwarded to contractors in respect of updates on the important issues of PPE, social distancing and testing, and HSCB and DH have updated and reposted the Community Pharmacy Staff Protection Checklist and the FAQs.

These are available via the following link;

http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/3124.htm

In order to demonstrate that all reasonable measures were in place, contractors are advised to keep a permanent record of the steps taken.  This could include retaining copies of all documentation and staff instructions/SOPs relating to COVID-19 management (and may include staff rotas, shift work details and staggered hours working arrangements).  This could be supplemented by, where possible, photographs of:

  1. Perspex screens or any other barriers erected;
  2. Zoned areas for prescription drop off or collection;
  3. Floor markings to ensure social distancing;
  4. Entrance control measures;
  5. Isolation areas;
  6. Cleaning in progress;
  7. PPE stocks;
  8. Advisory and warning notices; and
  9. Waste handing area

Action

Contractors should:

  • Read the Community Pharmacy Staff Protection Checklist and ensure that records are maintained of any reasonable measures implemented.

The CPNI team will continue to advise and support you over the coming weeks.

Yours sincerely

Mike

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

Dear Colleague

Letter from Mrs Cathy Harrison, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer

Staff Protection Checklist

FAQs

Mrs Cathy Harrison, CPO, has issued a letter today updating contractors on the important issues of PPE, social distancing and testing.  The letter can be accessed via this link:

http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/pdf/Letter%20to%20CPs%20from%20Cathy%20Harrison%20CPO.pdf

You will note that the HSCB and DH have updated and reposted the Community Pharmacy Staff Protection Checklist and the FAQs.

These are available via the following link;

http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/3124.htm

The Community Pharmacy Staff Protection Checklist is attached for convenience.

Action

Contractors should:

  1. Read the letter and the updated guidance and brief dispensary teams; and
  2. Regularly access the links above to review any updates.

The CPNI team will continue to inform and support you throughout the course of the pandemic.

Yours sincerely

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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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,

Please find attached information from HSCB relating to the “Emergency Supply during a Pandemic Service” which is being issued by post today to all community pharmacies. This service is due to start on Monday 6th April 2020.

Guidance on the service and pharmacy vouchers will be arriving in community pharmacies by Friday 3rd April 2020.

Please share this information with your pharmacy teams.

Kind regards,

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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Dear colleague,

Please see attached a copy of the CPNI emergency notice jpeg which appeared in some of the daily papers this week.

This version is formatted for social media and I would appreciate if you could please add to your Facebook/Twitter pages and to also share some of CPNI’s posts.

If you would like to print the poster to display in your pharmacies, I have also attached a file which is suitable for this purpose.

I would ask you to share this email with your pharmacy teams.

 Kind regards,

SENT FOR AND BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE | Chief Executive

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