16 August 2013.
Dear Pharmacist
NHS FLU VACCINATION SERVICES: START DATE 1ST OCTOBER 2013
ACTION REQUIRED BY 31ST AUGUST
Coventry, Herefordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire LPC are please to advise you they a
proposal for the commissioning of a NHS Flu Vaccination Service from Community Pharmacy has
been successful and final details of the service specification and PDG are being discussed. It is
understood that the final arrangements will be based on the service specification used in Arden
lasts year, a copy of which is enclosed.
It is proposed that the service be available from the 1 October 2013 subject to pharmacists
completing and returning the appropriate paperwork which still has to be prepared with the Area
Team.
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The LPCs have also recognised a training need arising for pharmacists who have not previously
been trained in the delivery of flu vaccinations or require an update. If you have completed a Flu
Training Programme through your pharmacy this year or have retained competence from a
previous year and have completed an Anaphylaxis course this year you will need to produce
evidence in support of submitting the signed SLA to the Area Team in due course..
However the LPCs have negotiated the following training programmes.
Training Arrangements - a training programme has been negotiated with Novartis Vaccination
and Diagnostics Ltd see accompanying information:
Details of the training options are included with this letter.
Once completed the training lasts for three years as far as the Novartis PGD is concerned,
however evidence of continued competence and annual Anaphylaxis updates will be needed.
The evening Training event will included details of the NHS Vaccination Service such as the
targeting of specific patient groups, paperwork & claiming for payments, sourcing vaccine stock,
etc. will be covered during the meeting. Also pharmacists attending this training will receive a
Novartis information pack which includes patient registration forms, vaccination record forms, etc
pertaining to their PGD for provision of private vaccinations.
Cost of Training –. Your LPCs have secured an agreement, with Novartis to provide the training
at a discounted cost.
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For pharmacists needing to complete the full online and evening module the cost will be
£155.00
For pharmacists requiring just the on-line module the cost will be £75.00
In order to manage and co-ordinate the arrangements for the training and
confirmation that your pharmacy intends to provide the services under the NHS
when the SLA is received it has been agreed that Les Yeates (Chief Officer of
Warwickshire LPC) will act as the lead and all responses to this letter should be
directed to him.
REGISTERING
To register your interest in providing Flu Vaccination Services and appropriate
training please complete the attached proforma and return to Les Yeates, by post to
Pasture Croft, Tithe Barn Lane, Earlswood. Solihull. B94 5DJ, by Fax to 0121 345
0904 or email to Lesyeates@gmail.com.
1) Upon receipt of a registration form which identifies training Les Yeates Ltd will send
you an invoice by email.
2) on receipt of payment, you will be emailed an online access code and details of the
evening training event of your choice
Currently evening training events are planned for:
Worcestershire: on 4th September at Worcester Rugby Club. Six Ways, Worcester. WR3
8ZE Limited to 45 places
Coventry and Warwickshire: on 12th September at Holiday Inn South London Road Ryton
on Dunsmore, Coventry Limited to 45 places.
Herefordshire: on 19th September at the Kindle Centre, Hereford Limited to 20 places
Each event will have limited places and be allocated on a first come first registered
basis and admission will be subject to confirmation from Novartis that you have
completed the online module. If numbers exceed places arrangements will be made for
an additional training evening which is provisionally planned to be on 20 th September in
Worcestershire.
Yours sincerely
Les Yeates
Chief Officer
OfficerWarwickshire LPC
Acting Chief Officer
Coventry LPC
Jethro Tull
Chief Officer
Herefordshire LPC
Mrs Fiona Lowe
Chief
Worcestershire LPC
DETAILS OF THE TRAINING REQUIREMENT OPTIONS.
Option 1 – Online training for pharmacists that have already participated in the Novartis
Vaccines flu programme during the past two consecutive years or have administered more
then 50 vaccines in the last 12 months
Details on how to access the online learning:
Go to www.novartisvaccines-training.co.uk where the landing page will direct you to register the
following details:
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First and last name
Email address (this must be unique to you)
Profession
Professional registration number (i.e. General Pharmaceutical Council)
Mobile phone number
The following access code: [to be provided as applicable for each delegate]
Company identification/Store ID
Work address, telephone number and website
Number of years you have participated in the Novartis Vaccines flu vaccination
programme/s and the number of vaccines administered in 2012
On completion and submission of the registration page you will receive the following message on
the screen “Thank you for registering. You will shortly receive an activation email. Once you have
activated your registration you can start your training”.
The online learning programme is broken down into seven modules each taking approximately 20
minutes to complete. Once you have completed the modules along with the course validation, and
attended the live training, you can return to the site to complete the feedback on the training and
print a certificate for your records.
Further information on how to access the range of supporting materials, programme
documentation and resources will be available online once you have successfully completed all
elements of the online learning.
Option 2 – Online training with live training for pharmacists already operating under a
Novartis Vaccines flu programme but do not qualify for the online training only. To be
undertaken via a pre-booked Novartis Vaccines programme session
Option 3 – Online training with live training for pharmacists. Training dates and venues to
be provided by Novartis Vaccines and the LPC
Training
The training consists of online theoretical modules and a practical training session, both of which
must be undertaken and successfully completed prior to accreditation to provide the 2013/14 flu
vaccination service.
Online learning programme
The online learning programme should be undertaken at your convenience before attending the
practical training session (approx. 2 hours duration). The programme consists of seven modules
with short assessments and covers the following:
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Introduction to viral vaccines and immunology
Influenza: the disease
Patient Groups Directions (PGD), legislation and Clinical Governance
An influenza PGD
Administering vaccines
Basic life support and anaphylaxis management
Setting up your flu vaccination clinic
Log-in details for the training will be provided once your participation in the programme has been
confirmed.
Live practical training
Practical training is delivered by specialist nurse advisors and must be attended in person (approx.
3 hours duration). It covers the following:
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Practical injection technique
Basic Life Support (BLS) and anaphylaxis
The patient journey and [PCT] service requirements
Clinical governance
Support
In addition to the online learning programme and practical training session, the 2013/14 [LPC]
Seasonal Flu Vaccination Service is also supported by the following resources:
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A comprehensive pharmacist support pack containing all the necessary clinical governance
materials required for service implementation
A range of promotional materials including point of sale items
Inclusion on the Novartis Vaccines customer facing flu awareness website:
www.dontforgetaboutflu.co.uk
Field support from your local Novartis Vaccines' Account Manager