1. Bank Holidays
[a] You are NOT required to open on 25th May 2020 (Bank Holiday) unless you have been asked to do so by the regional team.
[b] The claiming process for the previous Bank Holiday on 8th May 2020 will be made available on MYS on the 25th May 2020 onwards.
[c] We will provide you with more information shortly when it is released.
2. COVID-19 Guidance for Providers of Services who use drugs or alcohol
Guidance has been released for commissioners and providers who are involved in supporting people with drug or alcohol misuse issues.
We have highlighted in the document attached what you need to know. Please open the attachment for more information.
Briefly:
[a] The symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) may be confused with withdrawal symptoms in a dependent drug or alcohol user.
[b] Where possible, patients may be provided with up to 2 weeks’ worth of take-home supply.
[c] Those considered at most risk of diversion or misuse and overdose, or those living in shared or hostel accommodation where it is impractical or high risk to store large quantities of opiod substitution treatment (OST) medicines, may be required to pick up their medication daily or at another frequency.
[d] People advised to self-isolate (but not treated in hospital) should be asked to nominate an individual to collect the dispensed medicine on their behalf. The nominated individual will usually need the written instruction of the patient .
[e] Delivery can also be requested from the pharmacy but subject to local arrangements.
[f] People newly assessed for treatment should usually be offered buprenorphine as their first choice and will be able to take away unsupervised titration doses for up to 2 weeks.
[g] Those opting for methadone should generally collect their medicine daily from the pharmacy in the first week, followed by take-home doses.
[h] People restarting treatment who were taking methadone no more than 7 days ago may be able to return to methadone after careful assessment but usually starting at a lower dose, titrated up again and with only 2 to 3 days pick-up to start.
[i] Needle exchange schemes may need to be amended and could involve increasing supplies and the ability for one pharmacy to provide another pharmacy equipment if needed.
