Archives: Contractor Email

This is a reminder that there is currently a pilot for out of pocket expenses on laryngectomy and tracheostomy products running until July 2024.

Dear Contractor

Information regarding a pilot for out of pocket expenses for laryngectomy and tracheostomy products has been issued by BSO 25th January 2024.

SUMMARY

  • Laryngectomy and tracheostomy products are appliances included in Part III (f) of the NIDT.
  • Whilst these products are initiated in secondary care, the supply route is currently from community pharmacies via a HS21 issued by GP practices.
  • CPNI have highlighted to BSO that pharmacies are dispensing these products at considerable financial loss as currently out-of-pocket expenses cannot be claimed.
  • A pilot will run for 6 months initially (February to July 2024) which will allow out-of-pocket expenses to be claimed for these item

ACTION

  • Contractors should read and review the correspondence issued 25th January 2024 by BSO.
  • During the pilot period, for any claims of out-of-pocket expenses for items in Part III (f) of NIDT, prescriptions should be submitted in the uncoded/part-coded bundle with the item diamonded.
  • The invoice for the item must be attached, and the serial number of the prescription should be endorsed on the attached invoice.
  • The prescription should be endorsed with the out-of-pocket claim, along with the endorsement Part III (f) pilot. An example of this is attached within the correspondence.
  • Prescriptions issued before February 2024 will not be included within the pilot even if submitted within the February 2024 prescription submission.
  • Please share this information with all relevant team members.
  • Any queries should be directed to mark.nelson@hscni.net or  Edward.Ashby@hscni.net

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.

CPNI ALERTS

DOH(NI) ALERTS

BSO ALERTS

Community Pharmacy Awareness Campaign – Closing Date Friday 17th May 2024

Thank you for supporting the community pharmacy campaign which called for fair funding for pharmacies. We hope you found the resources helpful when engaging with patients and the wider community.

With the campaign finishing on Friday 17th of May 2024, I would ask you to please return completed petitions securely at your earliest convenience to CPNI, 5 Annadale Avenue, Belfast, BT7 3JH.

Thanks again for your support.

Pharmacy team(s) can keep updated via CPNI’s Contractor Calendar and Contractor Emails.
Or report medicine shortages, pricing and staffing issues via CPNI’s Medicine Shortage Reporter and Situation Reporter.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
Gerard Greene
Chief Executive

Dear colleague,

Thank you for supporting the community pharmacy campaign which called for fair funding for pharmacies. We hope you found the resources helpful when engaging with patients and the wider community.

With the campaign finishing on Friday 17th of May 2024, I would ask you to please return completed petitions securely at your earliest convenience to CPNI, 5 Annadale Avenue, Belfast, BT7 3JH.

Thanks again for your support.

Kind regards,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

REMINDER: The reminder to those pharmacies who wish to send in a return with the number of patients currently being provided with adherence support has been extended beyond 3rd May 2024.

Dear Contractor

Correspondence has been issued by SPPG 4th April 2024 regarding Community Pharmacy Adherence Support.

SUMMARY

  • Since 1st May 2023 the Drug Tariff has been changed so that instalment dispensing is an exception facility for use only where the prescriber considers it essential to prevent abuse or misuse.
  • As public funding is being utilised to support community pharmacies in meeting their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA), SPPG are requesting information on the number of patients currently being provided with adherence support.
  • Adherence support includes provision of a Monitored Dosage System (MDS), pill crushers, reminder charts/alarms, or dexterity aids.
  • All patients receiving adherence support should be included with the following exceptions:
    • Patients who reside in Care Homes whose medicines are provided via MDS.
    • Patients with an instalment endorsement to prevent misuse or abuse of their medicines i.e. dispensing in skillets for daily or weekly patients. Please note: where these patients receive a form of adherence support such as MDS, they should be included on your list. There are instances where a patient receives both instalment dispensing and adherence support.
    • Patients who do not require support as a reasonable adjustment under DDA but for whom the pharmacy still provide adherence support e.g. requested for convenience.
  • The quarterly adherence return which was previously required will now be stood down.

ACTION

  • Contractors are asked to review the reminder issued by SPPG 26th April 2024 regarding Community Pharmacy Adherence Support and share with relevant team members.
  • SPPG are requesting those pharmacies who have yet to send a return to do so by using the following link by Friday 3rd May 2024. 
  • The quarterly adherence return will now be stood down and is no longer required.
  • Guidance is available which provides information to community pharmacies in relation to their statutory requirements under DDA.

For any further information please contact CPNI offices.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor

SPPG have issued correspondence on 14th May regarding the Living Well Service.

SUMMARY

  • The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination campaign is to begin on 1st June 2024.
  • Various resources will be provided and if these are not received by 31st May 2024, SPPG have asked community pharmacies to email reception.pha@hscni.net immediately and title the subject heading as ‘LIVING WELL PHARMACY CAMPAIGN’.
  • Replacement resources cannot be provided if not reported by 7th June 2024.
  • Resources posted by PHA can be shared on social media channels to increase the reach of the campaign. Details of this schedule along with printable resources can be found here.
  • A presentation on MMR has been created by PHA and can be accessed here.
  • The campaign for ‘cancer screening saves lives’ will finish on 31st May 2024, and the survey will open between 3rd June 2024 and 6pm 3rd July 2024.
  • When completing a survey please ensure to use the correct contractor number. It is advised to take a picture of the confirmation text at the end of the process and/or tick the box to save a copy of your answers.
  • Resources can be displayed to the public, and pharmacies are asked not to compromise cleaning for infection control. To minimise infection risk, please promote the online resources and hand hygiene alongside booklet stock.

ACTION

  • Contractors are asked to read the correspondence issued by SPPG on 14th May 2024 regarding the Living Well Service and share with all relevant members of the team.
  • The next campaign ‘MMR vaccination’ begins on 1st June 2024 and if resources are not received by 31st May 2024 email reception.pha@hscni.net immediately. Please ensure the email subject is titled ‘LIVING WELL PHARMACY CAMPAIGN’. Failure to report this by 7th June 2024 will result in no resources being provided.
  • The current campaign ‘cancer screening saves lives’ will finish on 31st May 2024 and the survey will run from 3rd June 2024 to 6pm 3rd July.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Contractor,

A brief update on 2025/26 Foundation Training Year arrangements from Mr. Peter Rice, Chairman of CPNI, is provided here.

Yours sincerely,

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive