PROTECTING PHARMACY TEAMS


Chief Pharmaceutical Officer (CPO), Cathy Harrison, has sought to reassure pharmacy teams concerned about PPE and the risk of COVID-19 transmission.


In a letter to community pharmacies, Cathy Harrison reiterated current regulations on the wearing of face coverings by the public when visiting pharmacies, and also the current guidance to staff about how to mitigate the risks.


The basic messages about hand hygiene, regular hand washing and cleaning of surfaces were reinforced as well as the guidance around wearing of ppe within the pharmacy. This was reinforced further by updated pHa guidance that pharmacy staff should wear a face covering in the workplace particularly in staff rooms and rest areas that can’t guarantee being ‘COvID- secure’.


Many pharmacies have reported to uCa-NI that they are concerned about the potential impact of a member of staff contracting COvID- 19 and how that might affect the rest


of the staff or their ability to maintain a safe service to the public.


Whilst the CpO’s letter went some way to provide detailed information on the risks identified and how pharmacies can protect themselves, it is still unclear what the protocol will be should members of staff receive a positive test, or are contacted by Track and Trace. uCa-NI has had reports of staff members being told to isolate for fourteen days despite receiving a negative test, with pHa clearly handling each case on an individual basis.


a further communication was sent to all healthcare sectors, highlighting evidence from the first wave of this pandemic, which suggests that significant transmission can occur - and has already occurred - in the context of interactions between healthcare staff when they are not engaged in patient-facing activities. In light of the issues witnessed in Craigavon area Hospital and the ambulance Service, all healthcare staff, including pharmacists, are being asked to redouble efforts to be careful outside the workplace.


PHARMACY FIRST


Discussions between HSCB and CPNI have been ongoing for some time about the introduction of a full Pharmacy First service, based on a patient registration model. However, an interim Pharmacy First service could be available from 1 November to help alleviate pressure on other health services.


Research by pagB indicates a huge increase in those who would use pharmacy services first compared to before the COvID-19 lockdown.


Currently under consideration is a pharmacy First service for the


management of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uTIs) in women aged 16 to 64 years of age. HSCB and pCNI, in conjunction with the Department of Health, are seeking independent prescribers working in community pharmacy for a pilot service this winter.


In addition, it is hoped to offer a service using pgD in a partnership between HSCB/CpNI and Northern pharmacies Limited. With a limited number of pharmacy prescribers in community practice a service, including a pgD option, will assure wider access for the public.


DELIVERY SERVICE


The hugely successful Community Sector Volunteer Service provided during the pandemic, was officially stood down from 31 August, and was replaced by an HSCB-funded Community Pharmacy Home Delivery Service – a core contracted service.


almost 95 per cent of pharmacies have been offering delivery services during the pandemic and this new service recognises the need for support for isolated patients, who do not have a family member, friend, carer or volunteer who can collect and deliver their prescription medicines on their behalf.


NEW UCA-NI PRE-REGISTRATION LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME


UCA-NI is continuing Ulster Chemists’ Association’s role in supporting pre-registration tutors and students through the placement year by providing a programme where students can come together outside the pharmacy, learn from expert pharmacists and other healthcare professionals and enjoy peer-to- peer support.


This year, uCa-NI has adapted its training programme to complement the new NICpLD pre-reg programme, in covering areas which are vital once registered and working in a community pharmacy.


The aim for our programme has always been to develop ‘confident and competent’ community pharmacists, ensuring they are prepared for working in a busy dispensary, managing a pharmacy team, delivering services and


38 - pHaRMaCy IN FOCuS


improving the health outcomes of their local population. With the pandemic ongoing, a training programme has not been an easy task to arrange. However, we have taken this opportunity to review our delivery methods and widen the scope of our training content.


uCa-NI would like to thank Northern pharmacies Ltd Trust Fund for their very generous support of the 2020-21 programme. pharmacies enrolling a pre-reg on the uCa-NI programme, have been awarded a training bursary covering 50 per cent of the course fee.


The programme will deliver the following training:


Live training sessions (three full days) on: • Health Literacy • Diabetes service delivery • Respiratory service delivery • Stop Smoking service delivery


• New/revised services • palliative Care • Wound Care • Incontinence • Stoma Care • Drug Misuse • Compression Hosiery


Zoom sessions on: • Maximising the pre-reg year • pharmacy Management • Customer Service • Community Health & Wellbeing • Leadership & Resilience


Students are given pastoral support throughout the programme through direct contact with programme Co- ordinator, Mairead Conlon, and a Whatsapp group which is a great way for students to get quick answers to any questions raised.


Students receive a digital copy of the pharmacy in Focus magazine and are


UCA-NI PRE-REGISTRATION LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME 2020/21


added to our general communications database for regular updates.


Mairead Conlon also keeps in regular contact with tutors regarding the ongoing progress of each student and can provide additional assistance where required.


uCa-NI believes that the content of this new programme will offer high quality, relevant information to students, delivered by exceptional pharmacists.


Our hope is that it will inspire students to make a career in community pharmacy, at a time when pharmacists have been increasingly migrating to other sectors.


For more information or to sign your student up, contact Natalie Mulholland via natalie@uca.org.uk, or on 028 9065 6576.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48