UCA IN FOCUS UCA Events
Atrial Fibrillation Masterclass in Ballymena on 10th November.
The Leighinmohr House Hotel was the location for a very well attended meeting entitled ‘The Heart of the Matter', organised and funded by a Pfizer / Bristol-Myers Squibb Alliance in conjunction with UCA. This was a joint meeting attended by around 50 GPs' and Community Pharmacists from the Northern Trust area. Speakers were Dr
Dr Pamela Bell
Patrick McGowan GP, Dr Paul Horan, Consultant Cardiologist, Antrim Area hospital, Dr Gary Benson, Consultant Haemotologist, BCH, Dr Martin O'Kane GP and Michael Jackson, Cardiology Pharmacist, Belfast Trust.
Feedback from those attending was very positive particularly for the format of a clinical meeting involving both GPs and community pharmacists.
UCA Local Meetings This autumn, 5 meetings were held in Belfast, Portadown, Omagh, Portadown and Ballymena. Seminars were provided on Diabetes & Atrial Fibrillation with great feedback from members on the quality of the training. The winter series of meetings will be held in February/March. Check
www.uca.org.uk for more details.
UCA Pain Seminar UCA and ABPI partnered to host a regional seminar ‘Understanding Long- term Pain’ in Lisburn in December. Devised by Dr Pamela Bell of the Pain Alliance, the seminar focussed on the non-clinical aspects of pain and how health professionals can better
understand the effects and how to assist patients living with pain on a long-term basis.
Philip Gilkinson of McDowells Pharmaceuticals thought it was educational and was very glad he attended “The course started with a 20 – 30 minute testimonial from a patient describing life with long-term pain. One thing is for sure, I will remember what that patient told us.”
Smoking Forum UCA facilitated a forum for community pharmacies with Pfizer to discuss how to boost Stop Smoking services in Northern Ireland. A briefing
paper is being prepared to help lobby for extended services in pharmacy.
First Aid training UCA and Numark partnered to provide training for UCA/Numark members on ‘Emergency First Aid at Work’. Twelve members attended the all-day session in UCA’s Strand House offices on Belfast’s Holywood Road and the feedback was excellent. Roy Bell, Taggarts Pharmacy, Belfast was very pleased with the course “The two trainers were excellent. The day was very enjoyable and everyone was able to practice on the equipment. The best first aid course I’ve been on.”
UCA Membership - supporting you 24/7
UCA Representation Pharmacist Mairead Conlon has been phoning and visiting a number of pharmacies and pharmacists to get to know your needs and wants as we develop new and improved services to support you. UCA’s website has been refreshed with a new look Member Area with interactive features and easy to find information.
Interactive Features – available 24/7 Locum Online – find a locum quickly and at your convenience
MedsFinder – quick and easy way to locate medicines currently out of stock at the wholesaler
DocStore – search and download useful documents e.g., range of HR documentation, information leaflets, posters, forms, etc.
ShareSpace – is a library facility for members to donate and/or borrow presentations, statistics or other useful information for colleagues to use when giving talks or presentations.
Book an Event – register for CPD, seminars and training events online UCA website also has dedicated areas for Pre-Reg Pharmacists on the UCA Training Programme, subscribers to the Prescription Payment Support service and Associate members.
Affinity Scheme – see details of deals for UCA members and Quick Links to help you find the information you need quickly.
Time to check your statements
At this time of year most of us resolve to make changes during the new year as it seems to herald a new start. Resolutions generally are the same every year which indicates we were not successful last year or we were so successful that we are continuing with them this year.
What should I resolve to do more of this year apart from the usual eat healthily, take regular exercise … CHECK MY BANK STATEMENT!
I usually just hope that everything has gone in and nothing strange or unidentified has been debited but I don’t check.
Not a good idea. So 2016 is the year of scrutinising my bank account and
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pharmacyinfocus.co.uk
perhaps I will find a few extra £’s. What about your pharmacy – do you check your BSO statement? Is it correct? Have you claimed everything you are entitled to? Have you endorsed everything appropriately and have you looked at your items on the statement and agreed the payment or quantity paid on each or do you just check expensive items? Subscribers to the UCA’s Prescription Payment Support service who check their BSO statements are regularly finding the following errors resulting in incorrect payment:
Errors within the pharmacy • Using incorrect code • Using incorrect quantity code • Not endorsing the form appropriately • Poor handwriting
Errors at BSO • Form or Item not paid (due to incorrect coding or endorsement) • Item miskeyed or endorsement missed
What can you do to ensure you are receiving the optimum payment? • Record and check all expensive forms • Ensure all forms needing an endorsement for additional payment has been clearly marked in the main body of the form • If you are claiming additional charges for Carriage, Admin or a Handling charge. Don’t forget to claim for the VAT on these charges.
It is of ultimate importance to ensure these checks are carried out each month. Subscribers to the UCA’s Prescription Payment Support service receive regular updates & advice, plus
For details of how to access the Member Area or if you are interesting in taking UCA Pharmacy or Associate Membership, contact the UCA office on 028 9065 6576.
The UCA’s Pharmacy Management and Leadership course begins on 6th February. Pharmacists can start the course at any stage through the year – if you are interested, call the UCA office.
Pain seminar speakers
1-2-1 help to carry out these essential checks. Errors and omissions can result in the loss of £100s-£1000s every year.
Want to find out more? Contact me at UCA Office 028 9065 6576.
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