Reporting Medicine Shortages (Important Standing Article)
SERVICE NEWS
Providing the Flu Vaccination Service in 2020/21
PHARMACY CONTRACTS AND MANAGEMENT
Community Pharmacy Consultation Audit - LAST CHANCE TO SUBMIT
PHARMACIST TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Virtual Outcomes: Shingles Online Training
*** IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NEWSLETTER TO AN ADDITIONAL EMAIL ADDRESS(ES) THEN PLEASE EMAIL THE LPC OFFICE ***
INDIVIDUAL RISK ASSESSMENTS
The LPC have been made aware that BSA have sent out a message this morning with a declaration point for carrying out the individualised risk assessment for ALL staff who may be at risk. Please check your own pharmacy shared mailboxes for details.
There are two windows to answer the snap survey – one opening today which closes at 12am on 17 July 2020 and then a second window open from 24 July at 9am until 31 July at 12am. The BSA are asking for contractors to submit in each window, even if 100% of assessments have already been completed.
We would expect this to be a measure within any upcoming Pharmacy Quality Scheme declaration so it is important that contractors action this now to avoid losing out.
COVID-19
COVID RESOURCES
PSNC’s COVID-19 page which collates all of the current information and resources for community pharmacy contractors and their teams in a single place
** PSNC are doing regular updates that should cover the essential elements - please make sure you are signed up to receive these **
GOV.UK’s COVID-19 page for latest government advice for health professionals
Keep an eye on your NHSmail shared mailbox on a regular basis for updates from the NHS E&I local area team leads
ALL THE IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE MONTH IN ONE PLACE
The July edition of the Deadline Tracker is now available to help keep you on track with your monthly tasks and to meet local and national deadlines.
The Tracker can be downloaded from the LPC website here.
The LPC would welcome any feedback on the tracker and will consider suggestions for future versions.
REPORTING MEDICINES SHORTAGES (Standing Item)
Please continue to help PSNC help you and give them evidence to negotiate a decent concession price, report all medicine prices that are invoiced at more than tariff.
Can all contractors please remember to continue report any new medicine shortages not listed on the SPS website using PSNCs online reporting form if you have not been able to source stock of a medicine from any supplier or manufacturer.
If a medicine is not affected by a shortage but is unavailable to purchase from your supplier(s) at or below the Drug Tariff listed price, please report the pricing issue to PSNC to consider a request for a price concession.
SERVICE NEWS
PROVIDING THE FLU VACCINATION SERVICE IN 2020/21
This year will bring the biggest challenge we have encountered with the flu vaccination service so far – how to do so safely whilst COVID-19 is still a threat. The number of flu vaccinations administered by community pharmacy was up by 20% via the NHS advanced service in 2019/20 compared to 2018/19.
PSNC are already in discussions with NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) on potential changes to the flu vaccination service which could support provision in a COVID-safe manner. These include proposed changes to allow provision of the service within areas of the pharmacy premises outside the consultation room and provision of the service off the pharmacy premises. These discussions have not concluded yet and so we cannot yet confirm what is possible. Contractors should start thinking and preparing for different routes however and PSNC have developed a piece of early guidance that should stimulate this thinking – please look at it here
PHARMACY CONTRACTS AND MANAGEMENT
COMMUNITY PHARMACY CONSULTATION AUDIT: EXTENDED
Community pharmacy teams have until TOMORROW, 10 July 2020, to capture information about the advice they give to their patients and local communities, and submit that data to PSNC via PharmOutcomes.
This audit has been made as simple as possible to complete and we hope that as many community pharmacy teams as possible will take part. By participating, you will be:
Recording the valuable advice you are giving;
Capture evidence for PSNC to use in making the case for more investment in the sector; and
Fulfilling your contractual requirement to undertake a clinical audit.
Do you and your team want to know about shingles and what causes it?
Did you know that 1 in 1000 shingles cases in the over 70’s could be fatal due to complications?
Do you and your team know what practical advice you can give people with shingles?
Did you know that 1 in 5 people over 50 who have had shingles may suffer with post-herpetic neuralgia?
This FREE, 11 minute course will answer all these questions and more and will help the whole team to have a better understanding of the role they can play.
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- if you do not wish your email address to be shared please email the LPC office on the email address above **
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