Specific Covid-19 news and resources for NPA Members in Scotland

Note: Please do also refer to UK-wide NPA guidance available here

The NPA provides regular updates on Scottish news and NPA support and also UK news and NPA support relevant to Scottish readers. The updates are sent weekly on a Tuesday, and occasionally more frequently if required in times of changing news. We have complied a list of recent communications for your information, by date order and subject  topic. If you would like to subscribe to this email please register here.

COVID-19 Community Pharmacy Vaccination Service – SOP May 2021

COVID-19 Vaccination Services – patient pre-screening form

New monthly survey of Scottish pharmacy team members who are self-isolating or shielding

CPS Board are keen to understand the extent of pharmacy teams who are required to self-isolate or shield during the pandemic and will be surveying all contractors on a monthly basis from January.

Scotland Additional £4.5million COVID Financial Support

Scottish Government have agreed to pay an additional £4.5million for staffing costs during May and June 2020 to Scottish pharmacy contractor

Community Pharmacy COVID 19 payment – Scotland

Scottish Government Circular PCA(P) (2020) 26 details payment for community pharmacy involvement in the COVID vaccination programme

 NHS Pharmacy First Scotland Signposting Guidance For General Practice Teams

COVID-19 vaccination:

New: read the latest guidance – Scottish Government COVID Vaccination Programme

New: Community Pharmacy – COVID-19 vaccination programme

The agreed fees for community pharmacy contractors participation in the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Regulatory guidance:

Updated HPS Advice for Primary Care (v11)

Scottish Gov – Letter to those patients at a higher risk from COVID-19

Business support and guidance:

Introduction of the Job Retention Bonus and CJRS update

COVID-19: additional financial support measures for community pharmacy contractors

Government statement on public holidays opening

Small business grant advice

Scottish Gov – COVID-19 helpline for Scottish businesses 

Download the coronavirus (COVID-19) communication toolkit (ZIP, 38 MB)

CPO video gives thanks to community pharmacy teams

Key worker template letters for use in Scotland

Clinical advice:

Ibuprofen and Covid-19  &  Scottish government advice

Medicines collection service for shielding individuals

Guidance issued on shielding employees returning to work

Testing:

Test and Protect is the Scottish Government strategy for coronavirus testing, tracing and isolation, which may have serious implications for your team’s capacity at short notice. Please review your pharmacy processes to maintain staff physical distancing and adopt new practices where you can to protect your staff from being asked to self-isolate.

Can we also draw your attention to the updated guidance for individuals that are shielding.

Anyone with new symptoms of Coronavirus should contact www.nhsinform.scot 08000282816 to arrange to be tested and should immediately self-isolate for 7 days.

If the test result is positive, a contact tracing team will support the individual to identify people they have been in close contact for long enough to have risked spreading the virus. Those identified will be traced and advised to self isolate for 14days, although they will not be told who their positive tested contact is.

For further information check advice for employers and guidance for Primary Care. An updated poster on how staff can protect themselves in the workplace is available to display within the pharmacy.

Covid-19 testing to enable key workers to return to work. Details available on the NHS Board section of the CPS COVID homepage

COVID-19: Access to tests for community pharmacy staff

Wellbeing resources:

New National Wellbeing Hub launched-Employee and employer support

A new platform for health and social care workers and carers to support their physical and mental health is now available in Scotland.

Launched on 11^th May by Scottish Government, the new digital wellbeing hub enables staff, carers, volunteers and their families to access support designed to aid resilience with the impact of COVID-19. The National Wellbeing Hub has resources split to employee and employer roles with content including management and coaching, building teams, and practical and emotional support.

Looking after yourself : supporting resilience and wellbeing in health and social care workers.

Looking after people : providing psychosocial support to patients and the public using Psychological First Aid.

Looking after your staff : Responding to distress in frontline health-workers, advice for managers and organisations supporting health and social care workers.

Clare Haughey, Minister for Mental health’s statement to staff.

Pre-reg:

National Education for Scotland (NES) FAQs for pre-regs with regard to Covid-19

Posters:

NHS Scotland Posters for use in pharmacies stop-think and We need your help

Health Protection Scotland

Health Protection Scotland – COVID-19 guidance for pharmacies

Health Protection Scotland – COVID-19 guidance for primary care

Health Protection Scotland – COVID-19 Information and Guidance for non-healthcare settings

Public Heath Scotland

https://publichealthscotland.scot/