**FOR THE ATTENTION OF LIVING WELL PHARMACIES ONLY**
Dear Contractor
Correspondence has been issued by SPPG on 31 March 2025 regarding the launch of the Living Well survey for the campaign ‘Look after your mental health’.
SUMMARY
The survey for the campaign ‘Look after your mental health’ is open and can be accessed here.
The survey must be completed by 6pm on 28 April 2025, please ensure to reach the final screen to confirm submission.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to review the SPPG correspondence issued on 31 March 2025 and share with all relevant members of the pharmacy team.
For any further information please contact CPNI offices.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
This update contains important information for community pharmacy teams.
All-Party Group on Community Pharmacy – Tuesday 25th March 2025
CPNI representatives met with local politicians on the deepening financial crisis which is threatening the existence of many local community pharmacies and undermining the role they could play in relieving health service pressures. Read more here.
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and to promote awareness of bowel cancer and key symptoms, Bowel Cancer UK has issued a toolkit for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.
Resources in the toolkit which you may wish to share on your social media channels include symptoms awareness videos, social media graphics, and posters.
Autumn 2024/25 Community Pharmacy Flu Vaccination ProgrammeREMINDER:
The Autumn 2024/25 Flu vaccination programme is coming to an end on Monday 31 March 2025.
Providers are requested to not vaccinate eligible cohorts after this date.
Please share this information with all relevant staff to allow adequate time for clinic arrangements and stock management.
Vaccination Training Sessions via UCA-NI & Coastal Core
Full Training Suitable for new vaccinators or vaccinators who have had a break from practice Saturday 5th April, Limavady: 1-4.30pm Sunday 6th April, Belfast: 10am-1.30pm
In-person Refresher on BLS/Anaphylaxis Periodic in-person refreshers are recommended for all vaccinators Saturday 5th April, Limavady: 1-2.30pm Sunday 6th April, Belfast: 10am-11.30am
CPNI wishes to make contractors aware of NICPLD correspondence dated 20 March 2025 which provides further information on the joint selection, recruitment and admission process for Foundation Training Year (FTY) 2026/2027.
SUMMARY
Contractors will note:
The joint FTY 2026/2027 selection, recruitment and admission process has been developed by a Task and Finish group established by the Department of Health.
The Task and Finish group will hold a live webinar for prospective FTY employers on 8 April 2025, and registration is available here.
CPNI notes that community pharmacies will be asked to “opt-in” to the process between 9 – 25 April 2025.
CPNI is aware that community pharmacist representatives, including those on the Task and Finish Group, have raised concerns about some aspects of the joint recruitment process, and have highlighted the need to make more information available to prospective participants.
As indicated by DoH legal advice, participating community pharmacies will be required to agree to a terms of participation agreement for the FTY programme and joint recruitment process, and as such they may wish to seek their own legal and/or HR advice.
NICPLD has indicated that employers can ask questions during the webinar, or can send queries in advance to nicpld-fty@qub.ac.uk.
ACTION
Contractors considering involvement in FTY 2026/2027 are advised to review the correspondence and consider attending the webinar on 8 April 2025.
As indicated by DoH legal advice, participating employers will be required to agree to a terms of participation agreement for the FTY programme and the joint recruitment process, and as such they may wish to seek their own legal and/or HR advice.
CPNI considers that arrangements being put forward by NICPLD and DoH for FTY 2026/2027 require contractors to give careful consideration to the responsibilities and obligations that will apply to them in their capacity as the employer of FTY trainees in 2026/27. CPNI continues to liaise with NICPLD and DoH(NI) on these matters and we will keep contractors informed accordingly.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI team or email Ennis.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
*** Webinar this evening 7-8pm ***
Dear Contractor
CPNI issued a contractor email on 10 March 2025 regarding a NICPLD pilot to encourage DPP support for Community Pharmacists undertaking the NICPLD Independent Prescriber training course. The pilot has now launched and information is available here or on the NICPLD facebook page. An information webinar will be held this evening from 7-8pm.
SUMMARY
As outlined in NICPLD’s letter, funding of £1500 is available for up to 50 eligible DPPs who agree to support a community pharmacist to undertake the NICPLD IP training programme, commencing August 2025.
DPPs can be medical or non-medical prescribers (such as community pharmacist IPs) and must meet the DPP criteria outlined in the NICPLD letter.
Those interested in being a DPP can express their interest here.
The deadline for community pharmacists to submit applications for IP training has been extended to 15 April 2025.
An information webinar for prospective applicants or DPPs will be held this evening Monday 24th March, 7-8pm with registration available by emailing nicpld-prescribing@qub.ac.uk.
ACTION
Contractors are asked to note the information provided in the NICPLD letter and the flyer and share with relevant members of the team, including any community pharmacists considering IP training, and any existing community pharmacist IPs who may consider acting as a DPP under the support scheme.
Queries on the DPP support scheme can be sent to Nicpld-prescribing@qub.ac.uk. Alternatively, please do not hesitate to contact the CPNI team or email Ennis.
Kind regards
SENT ON BEHALF OF GERARD GREENE Chief Executive
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