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GPhC REGISTRATION RENEWALS

This month is the renewals deadline for GPhC premises registration and GPhC pharmacist registration (newly registered pharmacists may have another date on which to renew their registration). Visit pharmacyregulation.org/renewal ENGLAND, WALES, SCOTLAND

PREPARE FOR AYP WEEK, 7-14 NOVEMBER

Plan to make the most of this week to have conversations with key stakeholders at a local level about community pharmacy services. This year’s theme is ‘More than Medicines’, and members can download posters, template social media posts, infographics, video assets, template local newspaper columns and more from npa.co.uk/ayp UK

NHSBSA’s PRESCRIPTION EXEMPTION CHECKING

As part of the NHS Business Services Authority’s Prescription Exemption Checking Service, as of 1 September 2016 the Pricing Authority began scanning the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) tokens that are submitted by pharmacies at the end of the month. This is for checking exemption/payment declarations; it is not for reimbursement purposes. Pharmacy teams are reminded to submit EPS tokens for non-age exempt patients and all patients that have paid an NHS prescription charge(s). For helpful steps for pharmacy staff see npa.co.uk/news ENGLAND

EMAIL YOUR MP

Contact your MP via the NPA ‘Email Your MP’ lobbying tool. The tool makes it very easy for you get in touch with your MP by email and social media about the Department of Health proposals for cuts and so-called efficiencies. Template wording is also included. Available from supportyourlocalpharmacy.org ENGLAND

PROMOTE YOUR FLU SERVICE

NPA members can download a free Flu Vaccination Service promotional poster and a draft letter to local businesses. Visit npa.co.uk/public-health-campaigns UK

SUMMARY CARE RECORD (SCR) ACCESS

Further to the Drug Tariff changes in March 2016 (see nhsbsa.nhs. uk), pharmacies will be paid £200 once they have completed all the necessary prerequisites and accessed their first SCR. Fifty-five million patients have an SCR and accessing it can help pharmacists treat patients more efficiently and effectively with less need to contact GPs, even out-of-hours. Plus, for a short period, community pharmacies can receive free training and a payment of £200 once the pharmacy has gone live. The payment is time limited to 31 March 2017. ENGLAND

CLOCKS GO BACK

Clocks go back an hour on Sunday 30 October. Take the opportunity to carry out a full risk assessment and ensure you have the appropriate security processes, procedures and equipment in place before the days get darker. For tips on how to keep premises and staff safe, visit npa.co.uk UK