This is a reminder that there is currently a pilot for out of pocket expenses on laryngectomy and tracheostomy products. The pilot has been extended for a further six months.
CPNI would encourage contractors and their teams to submit claims for eligible products under this pilot.
Dear Contractor

Information regarding a pilot for out of pocket expenses for laryngectomy and tracheostomy products has been issued by BSO 25th January 2024.

SUMMARY

  • Laryngectomy and tracheostomy products are appliances included in Part III (f) of the NIDT.
  • Whilst these products are initiated in secondary care, the supply route is currently from community pharmacies via a HS21 issued by GP practices.
  • CPNI have highlighted to BSO that pharmacies are dispensing these products at considerable financial loss as currently out-of-pocket expenses cannot be claimed.
  • A pilot will run for 6 months initially (February to July 2024) which will allow out-of-pocket expenses to be claimed for these items. This pilot has been extended for a further 6 months.

ACTION

  • Contractors should read and review the correspondence issued 25th January 2024 by BSO.
  • During the pilot period, for any claims of out-of-pocket expenses for items in Part III (f) of NIDT, prescriptions should be submitted in the uncoded/part-coded bundle with the item diamonded.
  • The invoice for the item must be attached, and the serial number of the prescription should be endorsed on the attached invoice.
  • The prescription should be endorsed with the out-of-pocket claim, along with the endorsement Part III (f) pilot. An example of this is attached within the correspondence.
  • Prescriptions issued before February 2024 will not be included within the pilot even if submitted within the February 2024 prescription submission.
  • Please share this information with all relevant team members.
  • Any queries should be directed to mark.nelson@hscni.net or  Edward.Ashby@hscni.net

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
FINAL REMINDER:
Those wishing to provide the Pharmacy First Service for Sore Throat are asked to complete the online form before 5pm on 6th November 2024.

Submissions after the deadline will not be accepted.
Dear Contractor
CPNI is pleased to confirm that the Pharmacy First Service for Sore Throat Winter 2024/25 is being offered to all community pharmacies across the network.

CPNI welcomes the expansion of the Pharmacy First Service and the evaluation of last year’s pilot sore throat service demonstrates the importance of this clinical service within community pharmacy.

SPPG correspondence issued 28th October 2024 regarding the Pharmacy First Service for Sore Throat Winter 2024/25 can be viewed here.

SUMMARY

  • Following a successful evaluation of the pilot sore throat service last year, it has been confirmed that funding has been granted for a similar service this winter.
  • The service will be offered across the pharmacy network from 1st December 2024 for two months initially to patients aged 5 years and over.
  • Where assessment indicates that antibiotics are necessary, this can be provided by a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber or in line with the SPPG PGDs.
  • Mandatory training on service provision will be provided by SPPG at a live Echo session at 7.30pm on Tuesday 5th November 2024.  Details on how to join this meeting are included within the correspondence.
  • The training will be recorded and available to view on the Echo Moodle site for those unable to attend the live session.
  • The fees payable to provide this service are as follows:
    • A one off service set-up fee of £200 per contractor.
    • A consultation fee of £32 per consultation (this includes the costs of RADTs and other consumables).
    • Reimbursement of the cost of medicines on submission of the prescription or pharmacy voucher to BSO.
  • Those pharmacies wishing to provide this service are to complete the form at the following link before 5pm on 6th November 2024.
  • Submissions after the deadline will not be accepted.
  • Further information including contract completion will be provided in the coming days.

ACTION

  • Contractors are asked to read the correspondence issued by SPPG regarding the Pharmacy First Service for Sore Throat Winter 2024/25 and share with all relevant members of the team.
  • Those wishing to provide the Pharmacy First Service for Sore Throat are asked to complete the online form before 5pm on 6th November 2024.
  • Training will be provided by SPPG via Echo at 7.30pm on Tuesday 5th November 2024, those wishing to attend this meeting can access the link within the SPPG correspondence.

Please contact your Pharmacy Advisor if you have any queries regarding this letter.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
REMINDER:
Mandatory training on service provision will be provided by SPPG at a live Echo session at 7.30pm on Tuesday 5th November 2024.  Details on how to join this meeting are included within the following correspondence.

Dear Contractor

CPNI is pleased to confirm that the Pharmacy First Service for Sore Throat Winter 2024/25 is being offered to all community pharmacies across the network.

CPNI welcomes the expansion of the Pharmacy First Service and the evaluation of last year’s pilot sore throat service demonstrates the importance of this clinical service within community pharmacy.

SPPG correspondence issued 28th October 2024 regarding the Pharmacy First Service for Sore Throat Winter 2024/25 can be viewed here.

SUMMARY

  • Following a successful evaluation of the pilot sore throat service last year, it has been confirmed that funding has been granted for a similar service this winter.
  • The service will be offered across the pharmacy network from 1st December 2024 for two months initially to patients aged 5 years and over.
  • Where assessment indicates that antibiotics are necessary, this can be provided by a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber or in line with the SPPG PGDs.
  • Mandatory training on service provision will be provided by SPPG at a live Echo session at 7.30pm on Tuesday 5th November 2024.  Details on how to join this meeting are included within the correspondence.
  • The training will be recorded and available to view on the Echo Moodle site for those unable to attend the live session.
  • The fees payable to provide this service are as follows:
    • A one off service set-up fee of £200 per contractor.
    • A consultation fee of £32 per consultation (this includes the costs of RADTs and other consumables).
    • Reimbursement of the cost of medicines on submission of the prescription or pharmacy voucher to BSO.
  • Those pharmacies wishing to provide this service are to complete the form at the following link before 5pm on 6th November 2024.
  • Submissions after the deadline will not be accepted.
  • Further information including contract completion will be provided in the coming days.

ACTION

  • Contractors are asked to read the correspondence issued by SPPG regarding the Pharmacy First Service for Sore Throat Winter 2024/25 and share with all relevant members of the team.
  • Those wishing to provide the Pharmacy First Service for Sore Throat are asked to complete the online form before 5pm on 6th November 2024.
  • Training will be provided by SPPG via Echo at 7.30pm on Tuesday 5th November 2024, those wishing to attend this meeting can access the link within the SPPG correspondence.

Please contact your Pharmacy Advisor if you have any queries regarding this letter.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
Reminder– Following the launch of the RPS/Marie Curie Daffodil Standards for Community Pharmacy Palliative Care, a short virtual training session is being provided on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at 1pm-1.30pm
Dear Contractor

Community Pharmacists and their teams are invited to the launch of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS)/ Marie Curie Daffodil Quality Improvement Standards for Community Pharmacy Palliative Care in Northern Ireland. 

The standards have been formally endorsed by the Pharmacy Forum NI, supported by CPNI and SPPG, with input from Specialist Palliative Care Pharmacists.

The important role that community pharmacy teams play in improving the care of palliative patients is recognised, and the standards aim to help the whole pharmacy team build on the good care they already provide.

To hear more about the standards, and a clinical update on medicines use in end of life care, a short virtual meeting is being provided on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at 1pm-1.30pm.

Access to the training provided by the RPS lead and NI Specialist Palliative Care Pharmacists, is available via the following link:

Zoom Meeting link
Meeting ID: 869 6281 5408
Passcode: 857Mbk

This training is open to all community pharmacy staff members who engage with patients with palliative care needs or their carers.

Kind regards

SENT ON BEHALF OF
GERARD GREENE
Chief Executive
REMINDER: Pharmacies wishing to provide the Pharmacy First Service for Sore Throat are asked to complete the online form before 5pm on 6th November 2024.
Mandatory training on service provision will be provided by SPPG at a live Echo session at 7.30pm on Tuesday 5th November 2024.  Details on how to join this meeting are included within the following correspondence.
Dear Contractor

CPNI is pleased to confirm that the Pharmacy First Service for Sore Throat Winter 2024/25 is being offered to all community pharmacies across the network.

CPNI welcomes the expansion of the Pharmacy First Service and the evaluation of last year’s pilot sore throat service demonstrates the importance of this clinical service within community pharmacy.

SPPG correspondence issued 28th October 2024 regarding the Pharmacy First Service for Sore Throat Winter 2024/25 can be viewed here.

SUMMARY

  • Following a successful evaluation of the pilot sore throat service last year, it has been confirmed that funding has been granted for a similar service this winter.
  • The service will be offered across the pharmacy network from 1st December 2024 for two months initially to patients aged 5 years and over.
  • Where assessment indicates that antibiotics are necessary, this can be provided by a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber or in line with the SPPG PGDs.
  • Mandatory training on service provision will be provided by SPPG at a live Echo session at 7.30pm on Tuesday 5th November 2024.  Details on how to join this meeting are included within the correspondence.
  • The training will be recorded and available to view on the Echo Moodle site for those unable to attend the live session.
  • The fees payable to provide this service are as follows:
    • A one off service set-up fee of £200 per contractor.
    • A consultation fee of £32 per consultation (this includes the costs of RADTs and other consumables).
    • Reimbursement of the cost of medicines on submission of the prescription or pharmacy voucher to BSO.
  • Those pharmacies wishing to provide this service are to complete the form at the following link before 5pm on 6th November 2024.
  • Submissions after the deadline will not be accepted.
  • Further information including contract completion will be provided in the coming days.

ACTION

  • Contractors are asked to read the correspondence issued by SPPG regarding the Pharmacy First Service for Sore Throat Winter 2024/25 and share with all relevant members of the team.
  • Those wishing to provide the Pharmacy First Service for Sore Throat are asked to complete the online form before 5pm on 6th November 2024.
  • Training will be provided by SPPG via Echo at 7.30pm on Tuesday 5th November 2024, those wishing to attend this meeting can access the link within the SPPG correspondence.

Please contact your Pharmacy Advisor if you have any queries regarding this letter.

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

Ask Your Pharmacist Week Social Media Cards

Ask Your Pharmacist Week is taking place from Monday 4 November to 11 November 2024.

This year’s theme is “Professional and convenient healthcare, from your local pharmacy team”and the National Pharmacy Association annual campaign is a great opportunity to highlight the skills and knowledge of community pharmacists and the wider pharmacy team, and their track record of safely delivering clinical services, including treatment for common illnesses.

CPNI will be promoting this theme across the week, including sharing these social media cards which you may wish to add to your social media channels:

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