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Issue No 1

Newsletter August 06 RPSGB Guidance on Recording Interventions

Welcome to the first edition of Community Pharmacy News.

The aim of this quarterly newsletter is to put together any current and topical issues relating to Community Pharmacy.

The joint newsletter will be circulated to community pharmacists and GP’s across Huddersfield and North Kirklees PCT’s.

Should you require further information or wish to contribute to the newsletter please contact: Reema Caddies (Clinical Governance Facilitator) Telephone: 01924 351410

Clicking on www.rpsgb.org can access further Detailed Information relating to this.

For those pharmacies that have had monitoring visits, recording interventions was a common theme that many pharmacists requested further information on. This website provides advice on: • When an intervention is of sufficient significance for it to be recorded.

• Contents of records • Where the records should be made • How these records could be utilised to improve safety.

• Length of time records need to be retained for • Each pharmacy should have a SOP in place for intervention recording.

Validity of CD prescriptions.

Reema.Caddies@nkpct.nhs.uk

Hazel Lofthouse (Community Pharmacy Services Manager) Telephone: 01484 344355 Email: Hazel.Lofthouse@huddersfieldcentral-pct.nhs.uk

Recent POM to P Switches

Sumatriptan (Imigran) is to be reclassified from POM to P status. Pharmacists will be able to help people with an established pattern of migraine.

• Amorolfine 5% nail lacquer is to be reclassified from POM to P. Pharmacists will be able to counter prescribe customers presenting with mild cases of suspected fungal nail infection.

Practice Guidance for the above is available on the Society’s website at www.rpsgb.org •

Pharmacists are advised that wherever possible the Department of Health Guidance should be followed, however the arrangements will not be enforceable until legislation changes in early summer.

The validity of prescriptions (both NHS AND private) for schedule 2, 3 and 4 Controlled Drugs is to be reduced to 28 days. Where a prescription is received, it will be valid for period of 28 days from the start date. However, if the prescriber has also incorporated a start date in the body of the prescription, then the prescription will be valid for a period of 28 days from that start date.

As a matter of good practice, the prescriber should endorse the date stated where it differs from the date of signing.

The same arrangements outlined above also apply to FP10 (MDA) prescriptions. The first instalment only must be dispensed within the 28-day limit, with the remainder of the instalments dispensed in accordance with instructions on the prescription.

Update on Methotrexate The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has reissued guidance to the NHS in England and Wales to reinforce guidelines to reduce the risk of patient harm associated with the incorrect use of oral methotrexate The NPSA’s new alert, improving compliance with oral methotrexate guidelines, tells NHS organisations to: • •

ensure that all actions described in the original alert are completed; and Give patients the core patient information leaflet and monitoring document which have been reviewed in collaboration with the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) and the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD).

The NPSA’s first alert on oral methotrexate (patient safety alert 03) was launched in July 2004. The NPSA’s subsequent alert, improving compliance with oral methotrexate guidelines (patient safety alert 13) has been published early June. Both alerts are available from http://www.npsa.nhs.uk/advice In addition to the patient information leaflet and monitoring document on the website there is also a “Safe dispensing practice checklist” which would be particularly useful to Community Pharmacists. The Checklist summarises the following: • Request sight of the patient-held record and check if any dose changes.

• Assessment of need of individual patients; packaging, labeling and PIL requirements.

• Strength of tablet supplied to the patient must remain consistent to prevent any confusion for the patient over the number of tablets they need to take.

• Communicate the dose as quantity of tablets and weekly frequency to the patient.

• Differentiate between methotrexate and folic acid packaging.

• Beware of possible methotrexate toxicity or intolerance e.g, Breathlessness, dry persistent cough, vomiting and diarrhoea.

♦ Obtaining Smart Cards for E.P.S. If you were unable to attend the events that have been held by the PCTs you can contact the Registration Authority to arrange an appointment to register on the spine and receive your Smart Card.

Initially you must have completed an EPO1 form and forwarded it to Hazel Lofthouse (Huddersfield PCT) or Neill McDonald (North Kirklees PCT) for authorisation prior to your request for an appointment.

On authorisation you need to complete an EPOS1 short form ensuring you include your national insurance no.

Please ensure you take the following documents when you go to register: - your passport or ‘photo’ driving license, and a current utility bill in your name for your home address.

Please note if your passport is in your maiden name you will also need a copy of your marriage certificate.

Registration Authority contact No 01422 224138

♦ Child Protection

Issue No 2

A recent pilot for Huddersfield PCT of monitoring visits undertaken by the RPSGB identified a lack of awareness of procedures and information relating to Child Protection by several of the pharmacies.

Information relating to Child Protection Procedures can be obtained from Pat Hughes – Nurse for Child Protection and Tracy Hardy - Named Nurse for Child Protection.

Contact No: - 01484347854

Quality and safety A unique e-learning programme has been jointly developed by the (RPSGB) and the NHS Clinical Governance Support Team (NCGST) and a range of other organisations.This free resource supports community pharmacist in their understanding of the components of clinical governance and its vital role within the new pharmacy contract.

There are seven interactive on-line modules at: www.casu.interwise.com/casu/portal/ITCG 1.Background to Clinical Governance 2.Audit 3.Patient, Public & Carer Involvement 4.Public Safety 5.Good Practice (Part 1 and 2) 6.Clinical Effectiveness 7.Professional Standards For those of you still requiring information around audit, please remember that as well as the above the RPSGB have developed a number of audit templates which are available on their website: www.rpsgb.org.uk/members/audit/index.html

♦ Monitoring Visits.

6 Community Pharmacies have taken part in a pilot of the RPSGB undertaking monitoring visits.

It is Huddersfield PCT’s intention to undertake the monitoring visits of all other Huddersfield Community Pharmacies before December 2006.

The monitoring visits are based on the Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework Document (Self Assessment Tool), which was circulated to all pharmacies earlier in the year.

♦ Campaign for ‘Sexual Health Week’. th

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Sexual Health week is scheduled for 7 – 13 August 2006.The Family Planning Association who are leading the campaign is currently developing a pack for distribution. If you would like to participate in the campaign and receive a pack please contact 020 7608 5256 or email shw@fpa.org.uk.

Community Pharmacies may order additional packs without incurring additional charges.

If you have any items you would like to be considered for inclusion in the newsletter or have any comments with regard to what you would like to see included, please see contact details on front of this sheet.