ACTION REQUIRED: Xmas and New Year’s Opening Hours

** If you completed the declaration in August, please ignore this news article**

Some Pharmacies have yet to complete their declaration - you need to do this whether you are open as normal or closed as normal.

If you haven't declared, NHSE&I may direct you to open to ensure good pharmaceutical coverage across the area.

NHS England South East need to know your opening times for the Christmas and New Year period to ensure adequate pharmacy coverage across the region during this time. This information will also be shared with the public, NHS 111 and the Out of Hours services (especially important for CPCS referrals).

ACTION: Complete the online declaration 

• If you plan to be closed on all the bank holiday dates, you still need to declare this.
• If you have already emailed a declaration using the old declaration form, please resubmit your declaration using the online submission.

Submit your declaration here

Dates affected are:

Christmas Eve	Friday	24/12/21	Normal Working Day	If you wish to open at different times on these days you must submit the relevant form to NHS England.
Christmas Day	Saturday	25/12/21	Public Holiday	Declare if closed or opening times
Boxing Day	Sunday	26/12/21	Normal Working Day	If you wish to open at different times on these days you must submit the relevant form to NHS England.
Christmas Day (substitute day)	Monday	27/12/21	Bank Holiday	Declare if closed or opening times
Boxing Day (substitute day)	Tuesday	28/12/21	Bank Holiday	Declare if closed or opening times
New Year’s Eve	Friday	31/12/21	Normal Working Day	If you wish to open at different times on these days you must submit the relevant form to NHS England.
New Year’s Day	Saturday	01/01/22	Normal Working Day	If you wish to open at different times on these days you must submit the relevant form to NHS England.
New Year’s Day (substitute day)	Monday	03/01/22	Bank Holiday	Declare if closed or opening times

 

Boxing Day (Sunday 26th Dec)

If you normally open on a Sunday – if you wish to close, you need to submit required form to NHS England.

If you normally close on Sundays – no action needed.

Xmas Eve & New Year’s Eve (Friday 24^th Dec, Friday 31^st Dec)

If you want to change the hours you are open on these days, you WILL NEED TO SUBMIT A CHANGE FORM. Request to change must be submitted to NHS England at least 3 months in advance (i.e. by 24^th September)

New Years Day (Saturday 1^st Jan)

If you want to close on this day you WILL NEED TO SUBMIT A CHANGE FORM at least 3 months in advance.

CHANGE FORMS

There are 2 forms – one for Core Hours, one for Supplementary Hours. Please make sure you use the right form for the right day/ hours.

Change forms (annex 2 & 7) can be accessed here:

• https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/pharmacy-manual-chapter-36-annexes/

Please submit change forms to: England.southeastcommunitypharmacy@nhs.net

Further Info

If you are part of a company, please check with your Line Manger before making the declaration.

Please note that any variation to contractual opening hours, without prior consent or notification, will be deemed a breach of terms of service. 

Performance related sanctions, as directed within the 2013 Regulations, may be imposed where a breach occurs.

Further information and guidance on opening hour’s regulation can be found at https://psnc.org.uk/contract-it/pharmacy-regulation/opening-hours/

Make sure you have updated your DoS with your opening hours or if you are closed.

Submit your declaration here