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Dear Colleague
Test and Trace - implications for community pharmacy contractors
Please see the PSNC information PSNC's updated guidance on minimising the spread of infection (including Test & Trace) on how test and trace can impact on community pharmacies.
The LPC is aware that a number of pharmacies in some areas across the country have had to close their doors temporarily as a result of staff being advised to self-isolate following close contact with a known infected individual.
Whilst the numbers of infections continue to fall it is still possible that contractors could be facing a similar situation at very short notice - and particularly if there is a second wave of infections, or a concentrated local outbreak. The PSNC will be sending out some guidance as soon as PHE and NHSE&I have sorted the advice needed for pharmacy.
Last week the following was circulated to all contractors a letter on Nosocomial Infections which contains specific advice for primary care contractors. The letter states:
All primary care contractors (GPs, pharmacists, dentists and optometrists) are asked to take the following actions:
1. To prepare for potential staff absence, providers should review their existing business continuity plans and take actions as required. This includes ensuring that arrangements are in place within a primary care network or between buddies to maintain patient access to services.
2. Providers should inform their commissioner as soon as they consider that delivery of the full contracted service may be compromised by staff absence due to Test and Trace. The commissioner will work with the contractor to put business continuity arrangements in place and to maintain access to services for patients. The provider will need to update information on patient accessible websites and the impacted NHS 111 Directory of Services profiles will need to be updated.
3. The commissioner will inform the Regional Incident Coordination Centre without delay and work with the provider to implement appropriate business continuity measures. The Regional Team will notify the National Incident Coordination Centre.
In addition, the LPC recommends:
- In reviewing your Business Continuity plans, ensure that you have the necessary information to hand on contacts for NHSE/I, local practices and pharmacies and other stakeholders (eg substance misuse teams)
- Use the PSNC's template workplace infection control and safety assessment toolkit to reduce the risk of transmission in your pharmacy
- If you haven't done so already, sign up for PSNC updates to ensure that you are able to access the most up-to-date guidance effectively.
Finally, whilst we mention workplace assessments, we must also bring up staff risk assessments. These go hand-in-hand, and although the headlines are very much focused on the Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups in the health and care workforce, staff risk assessments for all will be an essential part of ensuring you can continue to operate safely in the pandemic, and beyond.
A Risk assessment tool is being developed by a number of LPCs across West and East Midlands along with NHSE&I. However, there have been a number of examples developed which are applicable for secondary care institutions or larger community-based providers, those aimed at primary care - and particularly community pharmacy - have been hard to find.
We will direct you to the new tools as soon as they are ready.
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