Subject:                                         LPC Weekly Digest - 8th May 2025

 

 

Weekly News Digest - 8th May 2025

 

May Bank Holiday Posters

May Bank Holiday posters detailing which pharmacies will be open across the Southeast of England are now available:
Berkshire - Pharmacy BH Opening Times
Buckinghamshire - Pharmacy BH Opening Times
Oxfordshire - Pharmacy BH Opening Times
Please remember to update DoS and NHS.UK profiles with our opening hours (or if you are closed) on this Bank holiday period.

 

Exciting Opportunity for Frimley Pharmacy Contractors! 

Frimley ICB is launching a local "Teach and Treat" programme to support community pharmacists in obtaining Independent Prescribing training placements. Four Community Pharmacy Hub sites in Maidenhead & Farnborough, supported by trained mentors, will offer direct patient care, supervision, and mentorship. Pharmacists planning to undertake their Independent Prescribing qualification are invited to express interest. Places are limited and subject to eligibility and availability.  Deadline: Friday, 23rd May, submit your Expression of Interest here.

 

LPC Pre-Committee Meeting Survey - we want your input!

As a pharmacy contractor in Thames Valley, your insights matter to us. Ahead of our May committee meeting, we invite you to share your questions or concerns. Let’s work together to address the issues that matter most to you. Please complete and return the form by Monday, 12th May 2025.

 

Independent Pharmacy Awards 2025 

The Independent Pharmacy Awards 2025 is officially open for entries! The event is taking place at the House of Commons on Thursday 2nd October to celebrate the dedication, innovation, and resilience of independent pharmacists across the UK. With six categories to choose from, this is your chance to showcase how you and your team make a difference in your community. Don't miss this opportunity to share your inspiring story and be recognized for your exceptional work. Find out more and submit your entry here

 

Funding & Reimbursement Shorts: Prescription switching

CPE have created a new video on prescription switching to help with end-of-month submissions.  Click here.

 

Data Security and Protection Toolkit Guidance 

Community Pharmacy England has published new guidance to help community pharmacy owners complete the Data Security and Protection Toolkit 2025. There is also a useful on-demand workshop with more details. The Toolkit is used to make a pharmacy’s information governance (IG) declaration and must be completed by 30th June 2025. Click here

 

BOB Medicines Optimisation Bulletin

Read the latest edition of the BOB Meds Optimisation Bulletin.

 

Healthwatch Oxfordshire

Download the latest edition of the Healthwatch Oxfordshire newsletter.

 

 

 

Reminders

 

PQS: Aspiration payment window opens on Thursday

The PQS 2025/26 scheme commenced on 1st April 2025.  The Aspiration payment window opens on Thursday, and pharmacy owners have the opportunity to claim an Aspiration payment between 9am on 1st May 2025 and 11.59pm on 16th May 2025 through the MYS portal, with the payment scheduled for 1st July.  As usual, late claims will not be accepted, making it essential for pharmacy owners to meet all deadlines in order to participate in PQS.  See here for more information.

 

Take part in the Electronic Prescription Service pilot

The EPS team seeks pharmacies to pilot a new prescription tracker from May to June, involving a 45-60 minute virtual session, potential site visits, and regular feedback. The pilot will run for approximately 6 to 8 weeks, pharmacies can express interest in participating by filling out this form

 

Mental Health Awareness Week - 12- 18th May 2025

Mental Health Awareness Week highlights the importance of community in supporting mental wellbeing. The Mental Health Foundation have provided FREE resources on their website to help support this important campaign. 

 

 

 

Training & Events

 

 

Pharmacy Quality Scheme 25/26 training course

Do you know what training your healthcare professionals need to complete and by when? Do you know what you need to do to meet the gateway criterion? Do you know what criteria you need to achieve in order to claim for the 2 domains? This training will answer all these questions and more. To access the FREE course visit the Virtual Outcomes website

 

NHS England SE Q&A sessions - Grow your pharmacy technician workforce

Community pharmacy contractors in the South East are invited to join two online Q&A drop-in sessions to explore opportunities for growing the pharmacy technician workforce and employing apprentices, building on the success of the CPTAP in 2024/25. Sessions will be held on 22nd May (1–2pm) and 27th May (7–8pm) See here for details and joining links.

 

Healthwatch Bucks Webinar: Be Healthy Bucks, Wednesday 21 May 2025 

Healthwatch Bucks are delighted to welcome Owain Johns (Service Manager) and Gemma Knott (Team Leader) from Be Healthy Bucks to talk more about the services they provide for Bucks residents or those registered with a Bucks GP. Commissioned by Buckinghamshire Council and the NHS, Be Healthy Bucks is a free health and wellbeing service to help you make simple changes, to start feeling the benefits of a healthy life today. This webinar will be held on MS Teams on Wednesday, 21st May at 12.30-1.15pm, and will include a short presentation followed by an opportunity for questions afterwards.  See here for more information.

 

FREE training courses for pharmacy professionals 

The LPC subscribes to the Virtual Outcomes training platform, granting our pharmacies access to an array of online training resources. To get started, simply visit the Virtual Outcomes website and enter your ODS Code.

 

View All Events

 

 

 

Medicines Update

 

Serious Shortages Protocols (SSPs)

·        SSP077 for Cefalexin 125mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free further extended 

·        SSPs for Estradot® patches (SSP079, SSP080, SSP081and SSP082) extended

 

NOTICE: Medicines Supply Updates and Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs)

This week's additional supply notices have been issued. Please ensure you stay informed with the latest information Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) from NHSBSA.

 

 

 

The next edition of the weekly digest will be on 22nd May 2025