For the attention of Community Pharmacies providing the Spring 2024 COVID-19 Community Pharmacy Vaccination Service
Dear Colleague
SPPG have issued correspondence providing an update in relation to the Spring 2024 COVID-19 Community Pharmacy Vaccination Service.

SUMMARY

CPVS update 2 includes information on topics including:

  1. The publication of the Vaccination Protocol.
  2. A reminder to ensure that VMS Entries for Care Home Residents include the RQIA Code.
  3. A reminder that pharmacies who have paired with a care home and who have submitted a contract to the SPPG, can now proceed to plan the dates for the vaccination clinic(s) in association with the respective care home(s).

ACTION

Contractors providing the service should:

Please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI office should you require any further information.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Dear Colleague
SPPG issued correspondence today in relation to updated PGDs for the Pharmacy First for EHC service.  The updated PGDs for Desogestrel and Levonorgestrel will be operational from 1 May 2024.

SUMMARY

  • The existing PGDs for Desogestrel and Levonorgestrel (V01.00) will expire on 30 April 2024.
  • The updated PGDs for Desogestrel and Levonorgestrel (V02.00) will be operational from 1 May 2024.
  • Updated versions of the PGDs are now available on the BSO website.

ACTION

  • Contractors whose pharmacies provide the Pharmacy First for EHC service must ensure that they are using the correct versions of the service PGDs.  
  • PGDs must be signed on behalf of the pharmacy, and signed by all individual pharmacists who are delivering the service via PGD.
  • Pharmacy teams should ensure they destroy any printed copies of previous versions.

Please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI office should you require any further information.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive

Dear Colleague

  • SPPG have issued correspondence on 24th April 2024 and confirmed a National Protocol has been developed for use in the administration of the COVID 19 vaccine to individuals in accordance with the Spring COVID-19 vaccination programme.
  • The National Protocol allows appropriately trained, unregistered staff e.g., foundation year trainees to offer vaccination services under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.
  • For pharmacy contracts wishing to participate in this COVID-CPVS, please return by email your completed contract to your local office contact as soon as possible.
  • If you have any queries please contact Gráinne McMahon (Grainne.McMahon4@hscni.net) or Greg Miller (Greg.Miller@hscni.net).
  • Please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI office should you require any further information.

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

Following on from CU#240408B which provided details of the Community Pharmacy awareness campaign.  Please find here a social media asset which you may wish to add to your social media channels with the following copy running alongside: Underfunding means that community pharmacies across Northern Ireland can no longer guarantee that you will get the medicines you need, when you need them.  Please call into your local pharmacy to find out how you can support the campaign.

The petition is running until the week ending the 10th of May and if you need additional petition copies they are available here.  Thank you for your support.

Health Literacy Training Workshop

  • The Community Development and Health Network (CDHN) has advised CPNI that they will be delivering Health Literacy training online on the 25th April.
  • The training is open to community pharmacy teams and those who work or volunteer in the community & voluntary or statutory sectors and have an interest in health literacy or health inequalities.
  • To find out more or book onto the training click here: Events | Community Development and Health Network (cdhn.org)
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
REMINDER: This link should be completed to capture all patients within your pharmacy who receive adherence support and submitted to SPPG by 19th April.
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.
  • SPPG have requested this information to be submitted by Friday 19th April 2024 using the following link.

ACTION

  • Contractors are asked to review the correspondence issued by SPPG 4th April 2024 regarding Community Pharmacy Adherence Support and share with relevant team members.
  • SPPG are requesting information on the number of patients currently being provided with adherence support using the following link by Friday 19th April 2024. Please note the exceptions listed in the correspondence.
  • 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 Colleague

Further to the correspondence issued by SPPG 14th March 2024 regarding the Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework over 400 contractors have submitted the declaration.

SUMMARY

  • SPPG is seeking completion of the Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework (CPAF) declaration form for your pharmacy, for the 2023/24 year.
  • The aim and purpose of the framework is to monitor compliance with Terms of Service, service specifications, related professional standards and best practice guidance.
  • SPPG has recently worked with CPNI to review, update and agree the Assurance framework for the 2023/24 year.
  • A payment of £1200 will be made to each pharmacy, upon return of the completed declaration, for compliance with the CPAF process in 2023/24.
  • The recently resumed CPAF visits will continue, and pharmacies will be contacted directly if selected for a visit.

ACTION

  • Contractors are asked to review the correspondence and share with all relevant team members.
  • For those pharmacies who have yet to complete the declaration please use the following link. The declaration is to be completed by Wednesday 27th March 2024
  • A copy of the current practice leaflet and the complaints procedure/SOP should be submitted via email to your local office by 31st March 2024.
  • CPNI have produced a guidance document and resources to support you with CPAF, available on CPNI’s website HERE.

Please contact the Pharmacy Advisor at your local office for any queries.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive