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Friday Focus
Weekly Summary 

31st July 2020


New Lockdown Rules! 


The new local lockdown rules which ban separate households from meeting each other indoors came into force at midnight last night and includes all localities in Greater Manchester.

Government press release available here 

The announcement was made at 9pm, Thursday 30 July. Information currently available does not suggest that this directly impacts community pharmacy but we will keep you updated.
 
Please ensure you sign up the GMLPC newsletter for the latest updates. Sign up here
 

Action for Contractors:

Please ensure that your Pharmacy teams are aware of the new guidance.

Click here for related updates, including;
  • Use of Facemasks by Pharmacy Staff
  • Test and Trace Programme
  • COVID-19 testing access
  • Review your social distancing and infection control procedures

COVID-19 risk assessment for staff – Urgent Action Required

 

Action for Contractors:

Community Pharmacy contractors are being asked to declare their progress in performing COVID-19 risk assessments for staff by completing the NHSBSA snap survey which has been sent to you with a unique link via your NHSmail account. The second (and final) Window closes 11:59pm today.

All contractors are asked to submit a declaration, even if all staff assessments were completed during the first window.

Please click here to access the Risk assessment tools that you can use. Contractors can use any of the risk assessment tools that are available.
 

NHSBSA declaration – declaration of progress for Completion of COVID-19 Risk assessments for Pharmacy staff

 
Community pharmacy contractors are being asked to declare their progress on performing COVID-19 risk assessments for their staff.

At the end of June, NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) requested that individual risk assessments for at least staff in at-risk group (including Black, Asian and Minority Ethic (BAME) staff) should be completed within a month (see the PSNC news article here). They have now authorised the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) to collect information about the progress of community pharmacy contractors over the course of July; similar information is also being requested from the other primary care contractors.

The questions within the survey are:
  1. Have you offered a risk assessment to all staff?
  2. What % of all your staff have you risk assessed?
  3. What % of risk assessments have been completed for staff who are known to be ‘at-risk’, with mitigating steps agreed where necessary?
  4. What % of risk assessments have been completed for staff who are known to be from a BAME background, with mitigating steps agreed where necessary?
NHSBSA has contacted all pharmacies via NHSmail, but information can also be found on the NHSBSA website

Reminder: One week left to claim £300 payment for adjustments to support social distancing

Community pharmacy contractors have ONE week left to claim payment the £300 payment for the adjustments to support social distancing i.e. the installation of bollards, physical barriers or screens as the window for claiming this payment closes on, 5th August 2020 at 11.59pm.

The majority of contractors will have received this payment on 1st May 2020.

Further information available here 

HEE Update: Interim Foundation Pharmacist Programme

Health Education England (HEE) has issued an update on its new Interim Foundation Pharmacist Programme (IFPP) to support provisionally registered pharmacists.

In a letter to the 2019/20 pre-registration pharmacists, HEE explained that those who are eligible to join the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) provisional register, will be able to access the programme, which will provide them with the foundation training support they need. This follows on from last week’s announcement that the planned reform of initial education and training for pharmacists would be accelerated as a result of the situation following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Further information available here 

Flu Vaccination Training   

Additional places released due to high demand.


GM Health Academy have arranged a fantastic and competitively priced training package with ECG and PharmaDoctor to enable pharmacists to provide the NHS national flu service and a private flu service

There are currently 2 sessions available:
 
Sunday 16th August, 08:30 - 13:00,
The Hough End Centre, Mauldeth Road West, Chorlton, M21 7SX
Book online
 
Sunday 16th August, 13:30- 18:00,
The Hough End Centre, Mauldeth Road West, Chorlton, M21 7SX 
Book online

For more information Click here 

GMLPC Weekly summary

Newsletter 29/07/2020 - Click here

  • Important Updates for Contractors - Face Masks and 2020/21 Flu Season
  • GMLPC COVID-19 Resources Page
  • Updated Guidance on Use of Face Masks by Pharmacy Staff
  • GM Healthcare Academy - Flu Vaccination Training - 16th August 2020
  • Locality Updates - Stockport and Wigan
  • TCAM Update for Greater Manchester 
  • Reminders: PPE Survey and National COVID Testing 
  • GM Healthcare Academy – Job Opportunities 
  • FAQ: Funding for Cross-sector Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician 
  • HEE and NHSE&I Update: Pharmacist Education and Training Reform 
  • NHS Flu Vac Programme to Target 30 Million People
  • Drug Notifications 
  • CPPE Online Workshops

Monday Memo updates - Click here

Locality Specific COVID-19 Updates

GMLPC has created a locality specific update page. These updates contain important information for community pharmacy teams about the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here for more information.

PSNC - Weekly summary

Daily Update - 30/07/2020 - Click here

  • Government commits to NHS workforce development
  • Pharmacy Representation Review next steps webinar
  • New research on role of community pharmacy in pandemic
  • HEE Update: Interim Foundation Pharmacist Programme

Daily Update - 29/07/2020 - Click here

  • ACTNow to look after your own wellbeing
  • Reminder: risk assessment progress survey

Daily Update - 28/07/2020 - Click here

  • New COVID-19 public health resources
  • PhIF evaluation study
  • SCR 1-click integration now within Cegedim's Pharmacy Manager PMR

Daily Update - 27/07/2020 - Click here

  • 'Better Health' campaign encourages weight loss
  • Guidance on face coverings use by patients and customers
  • GPhC to increase pharmacy premises registration fees

Daily Update - 24/07/2020 - Click here

  • NHS flu vac programme targets 30 million people as expansion of eligible groups announced
  • Updated guidance on use of face masks by pharmacy staff
  • Second window opens on risk assessment progress survey
  • CAS Alert: Evidence of harm from illicit benzodiazepines
Useful links

GMLPC understands the immense challenges contractors face, our role is to represent and support you. We would like to remind all contractors that we are here to offer guidance, act as a sounding board and intercede whenever possible. 
CCA / Multiples: Contractors from large or small multiples should always check with their line manager or head office before acting on advice or booking training.
Copyright © 2020 Greater Manchester Local Pharmaceutical Committee, All rights reserved.


GMLPC Office Team – Contact Information

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