| Weekly News Digest - 5th December 2024 |
|
The LPC recently secured a 50% increase in remuneration of the EHC Service across East Berkshire (Pharmacies within Bracknell, Slough and RBWM). Requests for Pharmacies to take part in this very important service were recently sent out, but responses have been low. We realise how busy how you all are that this time of year, but would appreciate a high level of participation from those Community Pharmacies in East Berkshire. See here for service specification and PGDs. |
| Please ensure that your DoS and NHS.UK profiles are updated for the upcoming Bank Holiday dates over Christmas and New year. This can be done via the NHS Profile Manager. Useful NHS Profile Manager Tutorials are available here. |
| Achieving the thresholds for the monthly Pharmacy First payment has been an ongoing matter of concern for pharmacy owners. Since the two previously agreed changes to the original thresholds, additional changes have subsequently been agreed. The revised thresholds are detailed below. 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝟯 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘀𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿. |
| Community Pharmacy England has introduced resources to explain Original Pack Dispensing (OPD), effective from 1st January 2025. Pharmacists may dispense up to 10% more or less than the prescribed quantity if it allows dispensing in the manufacturer’s original pack. Guidance materials have been produced and includes an OPD webinar and various materials (FAQs, recordings, slide packs) to help pharmacy teams with the new dispensing protocol, see here. Further details can also be found on the Original Pack Dispensing webpage. |
| NHS England is seeking ideas to cut bureaucracy through the ‘Red Tape Challenge,’ launched in October by Health Secretary Wes Streeting and NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard. The focus is on improving referrals, patient discharge, and service communication. Stakeholders from mental health, community, primary care, and hospital teams are invited to share their insights on effective practices, challenges, and ways to reduce unnecessary work. Feedback can be submitted via a survey or email by 16 December 2024 to help improve operations and shape the 10 Year Health Plan. Click here. |
| Visit our website to view a very useful webinar detailing the acute sore throat clinical pathway. |
Check out the new video, which provides an introduction to the NHS account and the NHS App. It highlights all available features and guides you on how to navigate them. This video is a great training resource for anyone wanting to know more about the NHS App and NHS account. You can find it on the NHS website. There is also a handy troubleshooting guide.
|
| NHS England invites community pharmacy owners and teams to join 25-40 minute virtual user research interviews on pharmacy IT. You'll have the chance to share your views on several areas, including NHSmail and Microsoft 365 features, EPS tracker interface, 111 and pharmacy data integration, and Real Time Exemption Checking (RTEC). Email it@cpe.org.uk and specify which research project(s) you would like to contribute to. Click here. |
| Read Community Pharmacy England's submission to the Government’s development of a 10-year Health Plan for the NHS, highlighting the benefits of increased commissioning of pharmacy services. Click here |
Watch the recording of Janet Morrison's, CEO, Community Pharmacy England update. Click here. |
The UK chief pharmaceutical officers have released advice titled ‘Assisted dying bill debate: advice to pharmacy professionals’. This provides guidance for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians interested in participating in the debate. It is similar to the advice recently given to doctors and nurses. You can find the details on GOV.UK.
|
| All pharmacies must complete this mandatory survey by 11th December 2024. Pharmacies should have received an email from NHSBSA to complete the survey. If not, check with your head office if you're part of a multiple pharmacy group. |
CPE and Healthwatch England launched a 2-minute online Pharmacy First patient survey to highlight service improvements and public value. Invite patients to complete the survey after Minor Illness or Clinical Pathways consultations. Note: the survey excludes Urgent Supply of Medicines/Appliances. Please promote the survey using the provided resources.
|
| The government is developing a 10-year health plan and wants to hear from you. Your insights and expertise are essential to shaping an NHS that meets future needs. Share your thoughts and feedback at change.nhs.uk. Help to build a healthcare system fit for the future. |
| The deadline for completing the NHS England questionnaire on central procurement of flu vaccinations is 17th December 2024 if you wish to complete the questionnaire see here for more information. |
Join the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service (PCS) Workshop. The workshop aims to support learners in shared decision-making for starting, restarting, or changing contraception within PCS, enhancing their consultation and communication skills. By completing the program, learners will be able to utilize person-centred consultation skills, assess the suitability of oral contraception based on individual needs, discuss contraception options for informed decisions, provide information on long-acting reversible contraceptives, and address concerns or side effects related to contraception. The event will be held on:
Sunday, 19th January 2025
10:30am -12:30pm
at the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Business Centre, Cookham, Maidenhead.
Don't miss out, reserve your place here using the booking code PcsCPTV0125 (case sensitive). Don't miss the postworkshop webinar for further insights for further information see here. Book your place now on the CPPE website. |
| Virtual Outcomes have launched a new course on Prostate Cancer to support pharmacy teams. This course covers the signs and symptoms along with addressing the value of prostate screening. See here for more course information. |
| These online sessions cover how NHSBSA handles submissions, common errors, and tips on endorsing prescriptions to prevent payment errors. The next webinar will be held on Thursday 12 December 2024 at 10:00am, to register email NHSBSA at open-days@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. Please visit the CPTV website for further webinar dates and times. |
|
|
|
.jpg)
