Flu Update - October 2013

The following is a copy of a flu update sent to contractors on the 23rd October 2013
If you provide flu services please read and action accordingly.

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GP NOTIFICATION

It is extremely important that a patients GP is informed of any vaccinations that have been given.  This not only helps the record for national statistics but also ensures that the patients record is up to date and and reduces the possibility of a double vaccination occuring.

We have had some reports to us that some GPs are not recieving notifiactions in a timely fashion.

Please can we remind you that the SLA sates that 

"The client’s GP should be informed that immunisation has taken place as soon as possible, either immediately by fax or in a manner agreed locally, which must always provide a daily update of immunisations to each GP surgery (on 
weekdays) "
 
PHARMOUTCOMES

It is important that Pharmoutcomes is used to enter the details of your vaccines.  This will ensure that you receive payment for your NHS vaccines but also allows us to collect data to help us keep the commissioners informed of progress.

On that note we also would like contractors to fill in details of their Private vaccinations through pharmoutcomes as this helps us to analyse data across the 2 services.  

Currently we are seeing an increase in the numbers of NHS vaccinations but a low number of Private Vaccinations.  It would seem that very few of our colleagues in the large chain pharmacies are entering this data.  

The LPC would like to encourage all contractors to enter this data as this helps us to assess uptake.  

If you are unsure on how to access PharmOutcomes please click here to visit our website and read the previous flu updates for details.
SLA

The Area team is still awaiting some SLA signature pages back.  Please double check and make sure you have returned your SLA to Linda Bosher.  

Linda's Details are as follows.

Linda Bosher
Assistant Primary Care Commissioning Support

County Durham, Darlington & Tees Area Team
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear Area Team
NHS England
Rapier House
Colima Avenue
Sunderland Enterprise Park
Sunderland
SR5 3XB
 
Direct Dial:       0191 502 6572
Switch Board:  0191 502 6542
Fax:                  01325 553096
 
Email:               [email protected]CURRENT UPTAKE

Current data from PharmOutcomes is showing over 1182 NHS Vaccines in Gateshead, South Tyneside & Sunderland area from 32 Pharmacies.

Our neigbouring LPCS are showing 1734 in North of Tyne and 6139 in Cumbria.

Please make sure you are entering your data as soon as possible into PharmOutcomes.


VACCINE SUPPLY

We understand that vaccine supply has been a real struggle and we are constantly speak to Novartis about it however we have not had a firm date of supply yet.

We understand Vaccine is obtainable from different suppliers and wholesalers and our advice is that you shop arround on a daily basis to see where supplies are available.  

We appreciate this is not ideal however it is beyond our control.  The NHS PGD does not restrict you a particular brand so please do not think you need to stick to Novartis.

If you have used Novartis to train(through the LPC) they have also supplied us with a Private PGD which does not restrict you either.  These PGD was emailed out directly from Novartis however they can also be downloaded from the Northern Pharmacy Website Resource pages.


START UP PROCESS & FAQ's


We have had a number of queries and questions surround the Flu service.  We will be putting up an FAQ on the Northern Pharmacy Website shortly.  This may answer many of the your questions.

Despite all our communications, one of the big questions we are getting asked in particular is how we sign up to the NHS Service.

Below is a summary of what you need to do.  For further detail please visit ournews pages to read our previous communications.

1. Ensure appropriate training has taken place in the pharmacy.  Pharmacists need to have training in giving IM injections, Basic Life Support and Anaphylaxis.
2. Log in to PharmOutcomes for your pharmacies
3. Fill in the NHS Service Accreditation form for each Pharmacist who will be vaccinating
4.  Once Accreditation has been confirmed this will result in 3 services appearing in PharmOutcomes 
- NHS Service
- Private Service
- Evaluation Service
5.  You will use these services to report your vaccinations and evaluation forms.
6.  Visit the Northern Pharmacy Website Resources Page
7. Download the NHS SLA, PGD'S, Consultation Form, and Evaluation Form.
8. Carefully read the SLA and PGD's
9.  Ensure you are happy with the content of those documents and have everything in place to provide the service.
10. Sign the SLA Signature page and return to Linda Bosher (See above)
11. Order Vaccines
12 Proceed with service.
13.  Enter all vaccines into Pharmoutcomes
14. Enter all Evaluation forms into Pharmoutcomes
15. Ensure the Patients GP is informed as soon as possible.

Should you have any queries please don't hesitate to contact us and once we the FAQ is ready online I will email out again.