COVID-19: 20th April round-up for primary care
Following discussions about pregnant women and the COVID vaccine, we have written to local vaccination sites following the update from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in relation to COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and actions to take.
Frequently Asked Questions: MHRA and JCVI guidance on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and very rare clotting disorders
This FAQs document should be read alongside the operational note of 7 April, the JCVI advice and the MHRA advice.
COVID-19 lateral flow device distribution service
There has been a very high level of engagement with community pharmacies for the new service and over 90% have already signed up. For pharmacies taking part in the COVID-19 lateral flow device distribution service, this a reminder that you must enter the required data into the MYS portal by the close of business on the pharmacy’s last trading day of the week. Please ensure you report data week-by-week on your last trading day and do not amalgamate data.
COVID-19 vaccine animations launched to help tackle disinformation
NHS England and NHS Improvement has launched a series of animations aimed at tackling disinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. Aimed specifically at encouraging uptake in ethnic minority groups, the animations are available in 17 different languages and are suitable for use on a wide range of social media platforms. They cover key topics including vaccine safety, how it was tested, how it was developed so quickly, what is in it, and what the side effects are. Original files can be downloaded from the campaign resource centre in the form of short clips and also a longer video, and the English versions are also available on YouTube.
Patients preparing for travel in the UK
As travel restrictions ease, patients may be preparing for travel to UK holiday locations. Please remind your patients to organise ordering medications in advance, to avoid running out whilst on holiday. To maintain continuity of care on holiday, utilising telephone and online consultations, patients should be advised to contact their own GP in the first instance. If a prescription is required, please send it via Electronic Prescription Service. Practices can also refer to the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service, for minor illness and urgent repeats*. If the patient requires a face to face appointment, they can still attend a nearby GP via Temporary Registration.
* CPSC has reported back to NHSE&I that this is an incorrect us of CPCS.
New e-Learning from the British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA)
Let’s Communicate Cancer is a free and easily accessible e-learning option where you can learn about cancer from the basics to more detailed elements. It is presented as bite-sized videos, animations, quizzes and slide shows. The e-learning will give you confidence and knowledge to help cancer patients – from early diagnosis through treatment. You must be a FREE or PAID member to access. Let’s Communicate Cancer is aimed at all staff working in community pharmacy.
COVID-19: 22nd April round-up for primary care
Protecting care home residents and staff
As a result of a fantastic team effort, we have completed 56.65% of second vaccinations in care home residents. It has been a great commitment by the roving teams to the most vulnerable members of our community and a recent report from the Covid-19 Actuaries Response Group suggests that vaccinating just 20 care home residents saves one life. However, the job is not done yet. We are asking all care home clinical leads to work with their CCGs to support efforts to vaccinate staff in homes which have yet to achieve 80% of staff vaccinated. Many staff have benefitted from trusted conversations with local professionals, so please remember to offer the vaccination to staff, when visiting a care home for resident vaccinations. The national booking centre has also now reopened to enable care home staff to book online.
The SAGE social care working subgroup has determined that in order to maximise protection of future care home outbreaks, at least 90% of residents and 80% of staff is required in every Care Home. The vaccination rate for residents has remained consistently above 90% however, there is variation between homes and some regions have yet to achieve the 80% target. Once again thanks to all the roving teams and the huge efforts to reach out to every care home across the country. Let’s do all we can support our health and social care colleagues to get fully vaccinated too.
Updates to Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme claims form portal
The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) provides reimbursement for the employment of additional roles in PCNs to create bespoke multi-disciplinary teams. Funding allocations have almost doubled this year to provide for the equivalent of 12-13 FTE for each PCN.
From 1 April 2021, all monthly claims forms are to be processed through the online claims portal. The portal has been updated so that PCNs can link multiple PCNs to their account and upload documentation to support claims and CCGs can link multiple CCGs to their account and download the raw data of all their claims.
We encourage all PCNs to take full advantage of their funding, recruiting as soon as possible and focusing on this as a key priority to support both the delivery of care and ultimately improving our working lives. Supporting materials are available on FutureNHS. For further support email england.primarycareworkforce@nhs.net.
PRINCIPLE – new trial
PRINCIPLE, the UK’s national priority clinical trial of COVID-19 treatments for recovery at home, has launched a new trial arm assessing favipiravir. Favipiravir is an antiviral drug licensed in Japan to treat influenza. People aged 50 - 64 with certain underlying health conditions or shortness of breath from COVID-19, or aged over 65, are eligible to join the favipiravir arm within the first 14 days of experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or receiving a positive test. People can join from anywhere in the UK, either online, over the phone or via a healthcare professional. If you think a patient may be interested in joining the study, visit the website.
Patients preparing for travel in the UK (correction)
In Tuesday’s issue we stated that ‘GP practices can refer to the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service for minor illness and urgent repeats’, if a patient requires a prescription whilst on holiday in the UK. To clarify, referrals from practices to the CPCS can only be used for minor illnesses. If a patient contacts the practice for an urgent repeat prescription, then the script can be referred to the pharmacy via EPS.
2021/22 flu programme
The annual flu reimbursement letter was updated on 1 April. A copy of the latest version can be found online. The letter confirmed that those aged 50-64 year old will be included in the 21/22 flu programme. The letter also confirmed the inclusion of a QIVr vaccine (Supemtek).
Community pharmacies and General Practice should ensure that they order enough vaccine to achieve or exceed the same level of uptake as the 2020/21 season. They may wish to consider ordering additional vaccine if required to support the vaccination of the 50-64 year old cohort. Community pharmacy are expected to play a strong role in vaccinating the 50 to 64 year old cohorts to ensure the availability of general practice capacity to continue their focus on flu and COVID-19 vaccination of the most vulnerable clinical cohorts.
Date for your diaries
Wednesday 28 April, 5.30pm – 7pm. Primary care networks webinar: A focus on additional roles reimbursement scheme and recruitment
