Well, the flu vaccination service negotiations are finally over for another year - and the SLA/PGD will be available shortly. We had an agreement in principle a little while ago, hence the training events and on-line training, but the detail has only recently been agreed despite an early start.

For background, discussions on the service were held regionally this year; so in our case, we were in the same basket as Sunderland, North of  Tyne and Cumbria - dealing with the "new" CNTW area team.

I’m very happy to see that this year we are in the great position of offering the service to all “at risk” patient groups from the start of the season. The committee and I are, however, disappointed that the fee for providing the service is slightly less than previous years at £12.

The negotiations have been tough this year and although the LPC is pleased with an extended service, we are naturally disappointed at the level of the fee set this year. It suggests a lack of equity with other health professionals as their inoculation fee is higher for the same job. We are hopeful that a fair fee will be agreed next year. In the mean time, please inoculate as many “at risk” patients as you can, as hopefully the data we collect this year will enable us to argue a better result next time.”

 To facilitate paperwork (and payment) for contractors, and to help us collect reliable data, we are using the PharmOutcomes platform for recording.

The Flu negotiating team have put together an information email which can be found here. 
Please make sure you read and action it.

I'm really pleased that the Regional LPCs, working together, have negotiated a comprehensive Flu Vaccination Service!
 
Even better news is that "live" training isn't needed if you have had such training 2 years running!
 
The LPCs have arranged live training events around the patch for those that require it; only a few, however, as I suspect most pharmacists only require the compulsory web based update training...

Please log onto the LPC website, follow the instructions, and book yourselves onto the training you need; then when the vaccine becomes available you can begin inoculating early.

 http://www.northernpharmacy.net/nt-gst-s-lpc.html 

Working together with our GP colleagues we can make a difference...raising the percentage of immunised people and so help make the North East the hardest place for vulnerable people to catch Flu!

Our communications officer, Sami, who has been instrumental in pulling together the services, was present at the beginning of the live training to explain the differences in the two SLAs and PGDs and told us all to go forth and vaccinate! 
 
Very good words indeed, and I urge you all to vaccinate as many "at risk" patients as you can...
 
The NHS service offers the opportunity to inoculate "at risk" people under 65 free of charge; and in previous years this cohort of patients have been shown to be very difficult to reach - indeed only about 50% were vaccinated.
 
This is a great opportunity for community pharmacy to step up to the plate, and work with GP colleagues to find, offer and deliver a service that will provide real value to these patients in the missing "at risk" group - protecting them from potentially life threatening illness. Also, large numbers vaccinated will strengthen the arm of the LPC in future negotiations.
 
So please, using the words of my colleague, if you've trained up and signed the relevant paperwork - go forth and vaccinate!