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Community Pharmacy Devon Weekly Dose |
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Thursday 31st October 2024 |
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Due to popular demand, we at Community Pharmacy Devon have decided to review our communications and bring you a weekly newsletter that will provide a brief overview of important activity.
As always, if you have any feedback or comments, please contact us by email at admin@cpdevon.org.uk. |
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Deadline Tracker |
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The Deadline Tracker for November is now available on our website. Please view here. |
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New Pharmacy Program Aims to Cut Opioid Overdose Deaths in Devon |
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Pharmacies are working with Public Health Devon to pilot a new service aiming to reduce the number of drug-related deaths in the county. The authority’s latest figures show that there were 185 drug-related deaths in Devon from 2020-2022. The new pilot will begin with the following pharmacies: Pharmacy staff will be trained in recognising the symptoms of opioid overdose, how to respond appropriately, and how to administer the drug Naloxone.
Read more here. |
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Monitored Dosage Systems |
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A recent Coroner’s Report has raised concerns regarding the use of Monitored Dosage Systems (MDS) for managing prescription medications. The investigation into the death of an 82-year-old woman, who had inadvertently taken her husband’s medication for several days, highlighted that the use of 'identical' MDS devices by both persons was an important factor. Both individuals were noted to have cognitive impairment.
This case stresses the importance of being able to distinguish between different patients’ MDS devices, especially within the same household, particularly when those patients have cognitive impairments.
Read more here. |
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Break-ins Across Devon |
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We have been made aware of a few recent break ins across the area. Please be aware of the security within the pharmacy and please be extra vigilant when securing the premises when closing.
In the unfortunate event a break-in happens, please take the following steps: • Inform the police. • Contact the Controlled Drugs Accountable Office to report any CDs that may have stolen and report them on the portal. • Log any GDPR breaches that may have occurred (for example, if already made-up prescriptions have been taken etc). • If there is damage to the premises that causes the pharmacy to have to temporarily close, please inform NHSE at the earliest opportunity. This may be a good time to review Business continuity plans and any risk assessments. |
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PCN Event |
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Nearly 90 GPs and pharmacists attended a PCN event last Thursday evening in Plymouth hosted by Affy Mohammed, Lead Clinical Pharmacist and Pharmacy Service Manager, to discuss resilience and collaborative working between Drake Medical Alliance and community pharmacy.
Positive feedback has been received and everyone agreed that it was an important and useful session to attend. We will let you know of any similar upcoming events in the near future. |
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Community Pharmacy Workforce Survey 2024 |
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The Community Pharmacy Workforce Survey 2024 launched on Wednesday 16 October 2024 and will close on Wednesday 11 December 2024. This annual survey is recognised as an important part of the community pharmacy regulations. The survey is essential in helping NHS England plan for investment in the current and future community pharmacy workforce. The survey is commissioned by NHS England and conducted by the North of England Commissioning Support Unit (NECS).
Find out more about the survey and complete here.
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The Ask for ANI Scheme to Wind Down but Safe Spaces to Continue |
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The Home Office has announced that the Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) emergency codeword scheme will end on 4th November 2024. Both the Ask for ANI and Safe Spaces programme featured in the 2022/23 PQS with staff being asked to complete reading and training around the two schemes. Many pharmacy owners also decided to register their pharmacies as a Safe Space and to participate in Ask for ANI. Pharmacies registered with both Ask for ANI and the Safe Spaces Programme are asked to confirm if they wish to continue offering Safe Spaces, by completing a short online form, as this scheme will remain active. Read more here.
(Pharmacy teams working in multiple pharmacy groups may want to check with their head office whether the survey should be completed at pharmacy level or whether the head office team will complete it).
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Positive News Stories |
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If you have a positive news story to share with us please send it to admin@cpdevon.org.uk and it will be featured in an upcoming edition of the review. If featured, you will also win a surprise gift for you and your team up to the value of £25! |
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COMMUNITY PHARMACY DEVON SECRETARIAT TEAM |
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Click the name you need to email them directly: |