CPNI is aware that patients suffering or recovering from mental health crisis may reach out to their community pharmacy for trusted information and support. The CPNI team have recently engaged with the national suicide prevention charity Papyrus, to explore the resources that pharmacy teams might use to signpost patients, and the supports available for staff wellbeing. More information about Papyrus is available here. Should contractors wish, they can access the Papyrus website to obtain information posters, leaflets and tools for patients, links to support Apps, and training for healthcare teams. Paper copies of the resources can also be requested by emailing: northernireland@papyrus-uk.org.
The prescribing and use of gabapentinoids such as pregabalin has been associated with high risk of dependence and misuse. Co-prescribing with opioid medicines has been linked with respiratory failure, coma, and death. This has led to the removal of pregabalin from the NI formulary for neuropathic pain. A pregabalin de-prescribing programme is currently being undertaken in GP practices within the Northern Trust area, and community pharmacy play a vital role in supporting patients through this.
NICPLD currently have a recorded lecture on the Misuse of Gabapentinoids which is available until September 2024 which may be of use to community pharmacists in answering queries on gabapentinoid use.
The Northern Trust has also developed a pain management booklet to provide up to date resources for people living with longterm pain conditions.
Please bring this to the attention of your pharmacy team(s).
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF Gerard Greene Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Two pieces of correspondence have been issued by SPPG 5th July 2024 regarding LFD distribution and can be found: 1. LFD Orders HERE 2. New LFD stock HERE
SUMMARY
Pharmacies that have placed orders this week for LFDs will receive a quantity of 15, as opposed to the normal 30.
Due to the increased demand for LFDs, the PHA have ordered new stock, which is now available in NI.
The previous stock (Getein) contained 7 tests per one box, whilst the new stock (Hotgen) contains 1 test per sachet.
Hotgen tests will come in one carton containing 400 test sachets.
The order form and the service specification on the BSO website will be updated to reflect the stock change, and orders can be placed from Wednesday 10th July 2024.
When a community pharmacy places an order for Hotgen stock, they will receive one carton of 400 tests.
Three Hotgen sachets can be given per transaction for non-care home patients.
Twenty Hotgen sachets can be given per transaction for requests from care homes.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to read the following correspondence issued by SPPG 5th July 2024 regarding LFD Distribution.
To assist contractors, CPNI has developed an 18 minute recorded presentation which provides the background to technician registration, the work carried out to date, the purpose of the CPNI survey and some important points to consider when providing your responses.
SUMMARY
The CPNI Community Pharmacy Survey is available here.
Please note that it is important that Contractors complete this survey as the findings will be crucial for CPNI in advocating for equitable resourcing to support the technician workforce in the community sector, as required to sustain the community pharmacy workforce going forward.
Should you have any queries, please contact a member of the team or email your query to Ennis.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
Correspondence has been issued by SPPG 3rd July 2024 regarding the recent rise in coronavirus infection and which patients who should be testing.
SUMMARY
Due to a possible surge in COVID-19, the PHA have produced a poster for pharmacies to display which provides information to patients on who should be testing for COVID-19 infection and are therefore eligible for free lateral flow tests.
The poster contains a QR code which will direct patients to the relevant NI Direct webpage for further information.
ACTION
Please review the correspondence issued by SPPG 3rd July 2024 regarding information for patients on the eligibility of free lateral flow tests.
SPPG will be sending out posters to community pharmacy to display, however, pharmacies are asked in the meantime to print out the poster or use the jpg to display the poster digitally if possible and preferred.
If you have any queries in relation to this email, please contact your local Primary Care Office.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
Dear Contractor
SPPG have issued an important update on 2nd July 2024 regarding the Spring COVID-19 CPVS programme.
SUMMARY
The PHA immunisation team would like to pass on their thanks to community pharmacy teams for their hard work throughout the Spring Booster Campaign.
An evaluation exercise will be carried out in relation to the campaign, and further information will be shared once available.
The COVID-19 Spring booster campaign ended on 30th June 2024 therefore:
The PGD is no longer valid and no further vaccinations should be administered.
All unused stock of Spikevax® XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccines should be disposed of in line with current guidance.
The additional Care Home payment should be claimed for by completion of the online declaration by Friday 5th July.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to read the correspondence issued by SPPG 2nd July 2024 regarding the Spring COVID-19 vaccination programme and share with all relevant team members.
The PGD for the COVID-19 Spring booster is no longer valid and therefore no further vaccinations should be administered.
Any residual Spikevax® XBB.1.5 COVID-19 stock should now be disposed of in waste bins in line with current guidance.
The online declaration for completion of Spring COVID-19 vaccinations in Care Homes should be completed by Friday 5th July to receive the additional payment.
WhatsApp Business Terms of Service can be found here and privacy policy hereUCA-NI Privacy Policy We take your privacy seriously and do not share or sell any personal details with third parties for commercial purposes. If you have any questions, please contact the CPNI office. You can withdraw your consent to be contacted at any time by calling 028 9069 0444 or by emailing info@communitypharmacyni.co.uk. CPNI Data Protection Policy and Data Retention policy can be found Click Here
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