COVID-19: 29th June COVID-19 round-up for primary care
We’ve all got someone to say thank you to this year. Whether it’s the neighbours for checking we were okay, the delivery drivers who kept food on the shelves, the volunteers who helped get the vaccine out, or the kids for keeping us entertained – we want to get together to say thank you to them all.
This Sunday 4 July is Thank You Day, and we’re joining alongside some amazing organisations to say thank you to everyone who deserves it. You can join the celebrations, find out more about how you can take part and spread the word about Thank You Day by visiting the Thank You Day website.
We’d like to extend our own thank you to all the staff, security and volunteers at the vaccination sites that worked tirelessly over the weekend as part of the Grab a Jab campaign. Your support is just phenomenal.
Department of Health and Social Care reimbursement of COVID-19 costs incurred by pharmacy contractors and recovery of advanced payments
All contractors are now being invited to submit claims for the additional costs due to Covid 19 that were incurred between 1 March 2020 and 31 March 2021. For more details, including how to claim, please refer to the NHS BSA’s website.
All claims must be submitted to the NHSBSA between 5 July and 15 August 2021. Payments will be made on 1 October 2021. At the same time, DHSC has confirmed that the uplift to the advanced payments received by contractors between 1 April and 1 July 2020, totalling £370m, will be recovered as part of the monthly reconciliation from 1 October 2021 to 1 March 2022 in six equal parts.
Webinar: diversity and representation in the leadership of pharmacy professions
Join a national webinar on 6 July at 7pm about diversity and representation in the leadership of the pharmacy professions with senior leaders from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK and NHS England and NHS Improvement.
The webinar will share progress, challenges and learning about increasing diversity and representation in the leadership of the pharmacy professions, including the impact on the quality of patient care and how the profession can work together to remove barriers and make a meaningful difference. This follows on from the publication of the Joint National Plan for Inclusive Pharmacy Practice on 10 March 2021 - published on the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK websites.
Reminder to complete the survey on FTSU in Primary Care
The Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) team would like to learn about your experiences (positive and negative) of embedding FTSU across primary care. They want to produce resources to help you develop a culture which will enable your staff to feel safe to speak up about their experiences of working during the pandemic.
If you are part of a leadership team or a practice manager within a primary care provider, please take five minutes to complete the short questionnaire.
COVID-19: 1st July COVID-19 round-up for primary care
Phase 3 booster programme
We communicated in planning guidance earlier in the year that we would need to prepare for the possibility of a COVID-19 booster campaign in the Autumn or Winter. This letter sets out the Phase 3 programme assumptions to support and guide your planning. The Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisations (JCVI) advises that any potential booster programme should begin in September 2021, in order to maximise protection in those who are most vulnerable to serious COVID-19 ahead of the winter months. As this will coincide with the Flu vaccine programme the JCVI suggests that, where possible, a synergistic approach is taken to support delivery and maximise uptake of both vaccines. It precedes advice from the JCVI and other developments over the coming months, and as such plans will inevitably need to flex as new information becomes available. We recognise that providers need clarity on the role they can play in Phase 3 activity. We will be writing to general practices and community pharmacies in early July with details of the service specifications.
We know the critical role that both general practice and community pharmacy have played and will continue to play in the COVID-19 vaccination programme, alongside the seasonal flu vaccination programme. We will continue to work with you on how these programmes will be delivered, as intelligence and advice emerges. We are also keen to learn from your experiences including areas for improvement and how we can balance the vaccination programme with business as usual activity.
COVID-19: the green book, chapter 14a updated
Public Health England has updated the Green Book with clarification around the schedule following the emergence of Delta variant, advice on cautions and contraindications, and co-administration advice. More evidence also added on vaccine effectiveness and mixed schedules. In line with JCVI guidance, one of these changes includes recommending an interval of 8 to 12 weeks between doses of all the available COVID-19 vaccines. This consistent interval should be used for all two dose vaccines to avoid confusion and simplify booking, and will help to ensure a good balance between achieving rapid and long-lasting protection.
Updated standard operating procedure for LVS deployment
We have updated the Standard Operating Procedure for LVS Deployment in Community Settings. Please note that this is currently draft and will be published in final form on our website soon. This consolidated version has been restructured and reduced in length to improve the flow and usability. If you have any feedback to this draft document either usability or additional elements that should be considered for inclusion, please email us at: england.pccovidvaccines@nhs.net.
Changes to how primary care staff access lateral flow devices for asymptomatic testing
The way that NHS staff across all primary care contractor groups (medical, dental, optometry and community pharmacy) order lateral flow device (LFD) tests is changing. From 5 July 2021, all NHS staff will be able to order tests directly through the government lateral flow ordering portaland have these delivered to their home addresses.
Asymptomatic staff testing is an important component of Infection Prevention and Control, which all organisations and staff have a duty to adhere to. We are grateful for the continued efforts of primary care contractors in keeping staff and patients safe from potential transmission of COVID-19 in healthcare settings.
The supporting LFD standard operating procedure and frequently asked questions are being updated and will be published shortly. More information about the change is available in the letter issued to system leaders on Tuesday.
Temporary approval to suspend the need for signatures on prescriptions, dental and ophthalmic forms (extension)
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has approved an extension to an existing temporary measure in England to help limit the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) by suspending the need for patients to sign prescription, dental and ophthalmic forms. The suspension has been in place since 1 November 2020 and is now extended for a further two months until 31 August 2021.
This is to avoid cross contamination and help minimise the handling of paperwork when collecting medicines or receiving dental and eye care. Patients will still be required to either pay the relevant charge or prove their eligibility for an exemption from charges.
DHSC reimbursement of COVID-19 costs incurred by pharmacy contractors and recovery of advanced payments
All contractors are now being invited to submit claims for the additional costs due to Covid 19 that were incurred between 1 March 2020 and 31 March 2021. For more details, including how to claim, please refer to the NHS BSA’s website. All claims must be submitted to the NHSBSA between 5 July and 15 August 2021. Payments will be made on 1 October 2021. At the same time, DHSC has confirmed that the uplift to the advanced payments received by contractors between 1 April and 1 July 2020, totalling £370m, will be recovered as part of the monthly reconciliation from 1 October 2021 to 1 March 2022 in six equal parts.
Ten-year anniversary of pharmacy technicians becoming a registered profession
To mark today’s 10-year anniversary of pharmacy technicians becoming a registered profession, the General Pharmaceutical Council and the Chief Pharmaceutical Officers from England, Scotland and Wales have jointly written to pharmacy technicians.
In the letter they thank pharmacy technicians for their professionalism and commitment in meeting the major challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and reaffirm their continuing support to the profession to provide high-quality care to patients and the public.
In addition, the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK is also holding a celebratory event for its members this evening to make the occasion.
Extension of the Community Pharmacy Medicines Delivery Service
We would like to confirm that we will continue to commission the Medicines Delivery Service for self-isolating patients from 1 July 2021 until 30 September 2021. The service specifications and guidance is available to read online.
Please note that the Medicines Delivery Service for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) patients ended on 31 March 2021 and the claims process has now closed.
COVID-19 Lateral Flow Device Distribution Service (Pharmacy Collect)
Following discussions with NHS Test and Trace we can confirm that we will extend the Community Pharmacy COVID-19 Lateral Flow Device Distribution Service (Pharmacy Collect) until 29 August 2021. More information is available online.
Thank you to community pharmacy for your continued support in providing these vital services to your communities and keeping patients safe.
Migrant Health Animations from Public Health England
Due to the long-standing multiple barriers migrants face in accessing health services, including immunisation, there is a need to increase knowledge of entitlements to NHS services and of vaccination among healthcare professionals who support migrants in their practice. To address this the PHE National Migrant Health Team have produced two animations aimed at healthcare professionals in England:
These animations aim to dispel fears of being charged for free NHS services, supports PHE’s role in reducing health inequalities by clarifying entitlements to healthcare and upholds the Public Sector Equality Duty.
Webinar to explain new initial education and training reforms for pharmacists
A joint webinar being organised by Health Education England and the General Pharmaceutical Council will explore how the Initial Education and Training reform programme for pharmacists will be implemented in the 2021/2022 Foundation Training Year (the new name for the pre-registration training year).
Please contact the HEE National Pharmacy Team at traineepharmacist@hee.nhs.uk for further information.
NHS birthday 2021, Monday 5 July 2021
As the NHS turns 73, we would like to take the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of one of the nation’s most loved institutions, to appreciate the vital role the service plays in our lives, and to recognise and thank the extraordinary NHS staff – who are there to guide, support and care for us, day in, day out. Here are the main activities that we are organising nationally:
Saturday 3 July
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Memorial service: the NHS will hold a special memorial service to remember NHS colleagues who have sadly died during the pandemic.
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Light up blue: landmark buildings in towns and cities across the country are helping the NHS celebrate as it turns 73 this year by ‘lighting up blue’.
Sunday 4 July
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Thank You Day: the Together Coalition will lead a national day of thanks and recognition to celebrate the incredible work of our NHS staff.
Monday 5 July
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St Paul’s service: NHS staff who were on the frontline in the battle against COVID-19 will be at the heart of a special service of commemoration and thanksgiving to be held at St Paul’s Cathedral.
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Big Tea: from 3pm, join NHS Charities Together and take a tea break like no other.
