NEWS Protecting Vulnerable Groups
The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme has been relevant to pharmacists and pharmacy contractors in Scotland since 2011.
A Scottish Government advice note available online at
http://www.communitypharmacy.scot.
nhs.uk/documents/PVG_Scheme_advic e_note.pdf outlines the responsibility of community pharmacy contractors, including larger retail pharmacy organisations, and other organisations providing NHS Pharmaceutical Services work that falls within the scope of the PVG Scheme.
The advice note makes it clear that it is also the responsibility of individual pharmacists providing NHS pharmaceutical services to join the PVG Scheme. It is in view of the Government, this will help to uphold the reputation of the profession, and importantly to ensure that NHS Pharmaceutical Services are delivered to the safest and highest standard.
It is the responsibility of contractors to ensure Pharmacists and their staff they deem necessary to join the scheme,
have joined the scheme and confirm an individual is not on a barred list via reports issued from Disclosure Scotland.
It is an offence for any organisation, including a pharmacy contractor, to offer regulated work to an individual barred from that work (Section 35 (1) of the PVG Act). The way to avoid committing this offence is to ensure that any individual being offered regulated work is a PVG Scheme member and is not barred. For the purposes of the PVG Act, an organisation includes corporate bodies and unincorporated associations, as well as any individual who employs others in the course of a business.
The Scottish Pharmacist is aware this exercise has been carried out over recent years for new pharmacists, pre- registration students on the NES scheme and new staff but it is less clear whether contractors have carried
out the retrospective exercise for all relevant staff by the deadline of 27th February 2015.
To support members and individual pharmacists comply with the act Community Pharmacy Scotland is an umbrella body for Disclosure Scotland. Community Pharmacy Scotland will handle all aspects of the administration of these requests on behalf of its members with contractors only having to cover the cost of the necessary Disclosure Scotland fee. For any non-members, involved in the healthcare field, wishing to utilise CPS' expertise will be able to do so at competitive rates.
A full standard operating procedure to support understanding of the PVG scheme is available on the Community Pharmacy Scotland website and the team at the office will be delighted to help anybody with queries.
Making waves in world’s toughest ocean race
Five grittily determined women from Team SCA are now a third of the way through the challenge of their lives; taking part in the toughest ocean race in the world – the Volvo Ocean Race.
NEW NPA HEAlTH ANd SAFETy AdViSORy SERViCE
Health and Safety obligations are enshrined in law and also feature in the GPhC’s Standards for Registered Pharmacies. The NPA now includes in its membership package a Health and Safety Advisory Service, to help pharmacies manage compliance and risk. The service, which is delivered by Ellis Whittam’s qualified Health and Safety Consultants gives NPA Members 24/7 support, including access to a library of online documentation and a telephone helpline. Members can access the service by calling 0844 736 4202 or emailing
healthandsafety@npa.co.uk.
SCOTTiSH GOVERNMENT
CONSulTATiONS NPA Members are being encouraged to contribute to the Review Consultations being undertaken by the Scottish Government. You will have received an invite to respond to the Review of the Gluten Free Foods service and also the Healthy Vitamin scheme if appropriate to you. Scottish Government is also reviewing how to reduce health inequalities. These consultations provide an opportunity to highlight the excellent patient centred, safe and effective services that pharmacies provide and to identify opportunities for future funded services. If you would like to contribute your opinions or experiences, please contact
j.oman@
npa.co.uk.
NPA PGd CONSulT ANd
TREAT SERViCE The Flu PGD package details for the 2015/16 season are coming soon. Please contact Nigel Page at NPA Pharmacy Services to register your interest. Email
n.page@
npa.co.uk or call 01727 891800.
NEWS NPA NEWS
Annie Lush, Sam Davies, Dee Caffari, Libby Greenhalgh and Abby Ehler will be five of the 11-woman international Team SCA crew, who have been taking part in the mammoth 38,739 - mile circumnavigation of the globe, which started in Spain in October 2014 and will be finishing in Sweden in four months’ time.
So far, their Volvo Ocean 65 – the world’s most technologically advanced offshore racing boat – has sailed non- stop for 24 hours for nearly three
58 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST
weeks at a time, calling at just 3 ports in four months.
Their valiant effort is being supported by SCA – the leading global hygiene and forest products company and parent company to household brands TENA, Bodyform, Velvet, Cushelle and Plenty.
Sally Barker, UK and Ireland Managing Director of SCA, explained why the company decided to partner with the all-female crew, “SCA is supporting an all-female team because globally
about 80% of the retail products SCA makes are purchased by women. This gives SCA a natural interest in the role that women play in the field of hygiene of millions of families around the world.
“Furthermore, SCA supports women’s empowerment and their freedom to participate fully in society – socially, educationally and professionally – across the world by giving them access to and education about hygiene products and solutions.”
Please do not hesitate to contact
Scotland Representation Manager Janice Oman on
j.oman@
npa.co.uk
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