Before this flu season there are a lot of considerations which will need to be made. We urge you all to read the PSNC Briefing and advice on the safe use of consultation rooms from the Community Pharmacy Patient Safety Group which has some useful suggestions. Please note these have not yet been agreed and may never be agreed by NHSE&I and DHSC however, we do advise you to start taking action on these areas. 

1. Service is likely to commence 1st September 2020

2. Eligible groups are likely to be the same as last year but there maybe some extended groups 

3. Proposing to move to verbal consent 

4. Recommended guidance on PPE – Click Here 

o    Consider the volume of PPE which will be required for vaccinations include NHS & non-NHS services – PharmaPlus suggests you start building up your supplies from now to ensure you have enough to cover the season

o    Gloves and aprons are subject to single use as per standard infection control precautions with disposal after each patient contact

o    Fluid repellent surgical mask and eye protection can be used for a session of work rather than a single patient contact

o    Hand hygiene should be practised and extended to exposed forearms, after removing any element of PPE

o    Patients should be supported with hand hygiene before being vaccinated and may need to be supported with the provision of a face mask where they attend without a face covering.

5. Likely to high demand with lower capacity – Have a more integrated approach this year – Contact your LPC / PCN leads to find out if there is any plans in place

6. Risk assessments for offsite vaccinations

7. There have been several models proposed to NHSE&I and DHSC including how vaccinations could take place in the consultation room or elsewhere on the pharmacy premises – Click here for more information

As always, please get in touch with us at PharmaPlus if you need further support.

Regards,

PharmaPlus