The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has raised concerns over the NHS ad campaign highlighting how community pharmacies can support patients
with non-health advice amidst the growing pressure on pharmacies.
It believes the campaign will only 'worsen' the pressure on pharmacies.
"It is always deeply concerning to see campaigns directing people to pharmacies without any regard for the pressures they are under: it is irresponsible and extremely
unhelpful," said PSNC Chief Executive Janet Morrison.
She called the campaign 'particularly irritating' just weeks after the committee rejected a series of proposals from NHS England and DHSC on relief measures to ease
pressure on pharmacies as being totally inadequate.
"NHS England Board Members have noted the pressure on pharmacies - so why are their teams so often acting to make these pressures worse? We need to see a radical
change in how NHS England treats pharmacies and we're continuing to press for that via our influencing and campaigning work," she added.
The NHS launched the new campaign on Monday (27 February) to highlight how high-street pharmacies can support patients with non-urgent health advice for minor
conditions including coughs, aches and colds.
Lightweight Transport Chair has a lightweight aluminum frame and padded upholstery. It is foldable and has a quick release fold-down back, as well as padded, fixed full-length arms for added comfort. Transport chair has locking rear wheels and much lighter and more compact than traditional wheelchairs,transport chair allows the user and care giver greater freedom with life's daily adventures.
Transport Chairs
Transport Chairs has more security and comfort enhancing features than ever before. Flip-back detachable arms make it easier to transfer in and out, or simply get closer to a table. And, added side panels help protect from bumps and bangs along the way.Anatomically correct armrest height along with heel loops on the easy-adjust swing-away footrests make it even more secure and comfortable to sit in.
Features
Aluminum frame is lightweight and strong
Comes with seat belt for added safety
Nylon upholstery is comfortable, lightweight and easy to clean
Comes with swing-away footrests
Padded armrests provide additional comfort
Aluminum coasted back-release hinge allows back to fold down for easy storage and transport
Lightweight Folding Wheelchair
Lightweight Folding Wheelchair are suitable for indoor as well as outdoor purposes. Lightweight wheelchair are using high quality material to ensure high strength and durability. Lightweight wheelchair is a high quality wheelchair.It is divided into three major categories-
Rigid Ultra-lightweight Wheelchairs
Rigid frame eliminates the additional hardware and mechanisms of a folding frame, lightening up the weight and increasing the response and performance.These wheelchairs have a long list of options including the basics, like push handles and flip-up armrests, to Spinergy wheels and light-up front casters.
Folding Ultra-lightweight Wheelchairs
If you need to transport your wheelchair behind the seat of your car or can't live without swing-away leg-rests but don't want to sacrifice weig
David Webb, the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England, acknowledged that the "pressure in the system is high", but urged everyone to "keep our eye on the
design" of the NHS plan, adding that the "the objective is to bring the different parts of primary care together" in the patient interest.
Speaking during the opening keynote session at the the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) conference held on Thursday (13 October), he added that the NHS plan
intends to bring different parts of primary care together to help patients.
He said the new integrated care boards (ICBs) are a key strategic framework as they provide the "potential to form partnerships to deliver integrated services across
larger populations".
"ICBs will want to work with Local Pharmaceutical Committees to plan for the local population and the new community pharmacy clinical leads in ICBs, who have been
funded by NHS England, are there to advise."
He explained that once an ICB takes over the commissioning of pharmaceutical services (which they are all due to do by April 2023), it could use its funds to
commission a local enhanced service as an add on to an advanced service. For instance, a CVD risk assessment could be added to the blood pressure check service.
Reclining Wheelchair 609 GC
Reclining Wheelchair 609 GC is one of the multipurpose chairs which boast of features like reclining, inbuilt commode, customized armrest and footrest and foldable nature of the chair.
Reclining Wheelchair 609 GC Features
The wheelchair can be folded within very easily within seconds, making it easier during travels and outings.
The backrest of the chair can be easily reclined, giving the user the freedom to relax by not moving up from the chair.
The footrest can be inclined and adjusted so as to make the user comfortable during reclining or otherwise.
A well paded thigh support is an add-on to the footrest.
The front and rear wheels of the chair are designed and placed in such a way so as to support the reclining of the user, making it a very safe and friendly wheelchair.
The inbuilt commode has its seat just underneath the main seat of the chair; it can be used by just removing the main seat.
The Wheelchair can also be folded from between by just removing the commode and the chair's seat.
This Wheelchair's functionality gives the user total freedom.
Easy to fold and unfold within seconds.
Reclining Wheelchair 609 GC Measurements
Frame Style : Foldable
Frame Material : MS Chrome Plated
open position wheel to wheel width in : 26" (inches)
Seat Width : 18" (inches)
Total width in closing position : 11" (inches)
Rear Wheel Size : 24" (inches)
Front Wheel Size : 8" (inches)
Seat to Floor Height in : 21" (inches)
Seat Depth : 18" (inches)
Total Height : 50" (inches)
Max User Weight Capacity (kgs) : 110
Net Weight (kgs) : 23
Upholstery : Rexine
Armrest : Detachable
Leg rest : Detachable with elevated footrest
Calf support for added comfort
Wheel Quality : Rear Solid wheels
Rear Wheel Lock : Yes
Hand Brakes : No
Drop back Handle : No
Headrest Support Available
Neck Support Available
Plastic Commode seat with Pot.
Cushioned Top Cover
Rear tyer Solid tube less
Round commode pan
Removabl
Karma Reclining Wheelchair KM 5000
The karma reclining wheelchair km-5000 Transport Wheelchair is an ultra lightweight folding aluminum reclining wheelchair. With full length padded armrests, an adjustable height head pillow, and more this wheelchair has added comfort for any user. This chair also features swing-away elevating footrests and adjustable length leg supports and footplates. With a weight of 33 Lbs this chair can be transported with ease.
Karma Reclining Wheelchair KM 5000 Features
Folding 6061 T-6 Aircraft-grade aluminum frame in black
powder coat finish
Backrest Reclines 90°~163° and includes anti-tippers
Full length padded detachable armrests with side panels
Swing-away detachable elevating footrests
Adjustable length leg supports & footplates
Adjustable-height head pillow
14" Mag wheels with flat free polyurethane tires
7" x 1" Flat free front polyurethane casters
Adjustable toggle wheel locks
High-grade flame retardant, breathable nylon upholstery
Limited lifetime warranty on frames and cross-braces, one
year on parts
One of only two lightweight recliners available in the USA
Also Available in Large Manual Rear Wheel option, (KM-
5000F), please call for more info
Frame Color: Silver
WARRANTY 1 Year
Karma Reclining Wheelchair KM 5000 Measurements
Seat Width 18 inch.
Seat Depth 18 inch.
Seat Height 20 inch.
Back Height 33 inch.
Overall Height 51 inch.
Overall Open Width 25 inch., 27 inch., 29 inch., 31 inch.
Overall Length 39 inch.
Weight Without Riggings 33 lb., 34 lb.
Weight Cap 250 lb., 300 lb., 350 lb.
Shipping Dimensions 39? L x 30? H x 14? W
Reclining wheelchair
Reclining wheelchairs are available in standard folding frames with extended head supports and seat widths up to 24" wide. The recline mechanism is attendant operated with levers much like a bicycle brake lever. The levers operate hydraulic (pump) mechanisms for a smooth adjustment. Using this reclining mechanism, the chair back can easily and frequently be positioned to any angle.
Recliner wheelchair is low profile allowing you to comfortably fit under tables and desks. You can also enjoy numerous activities with increased comfort such as stretching, napping and watching television. The ability to recline also improves circulation and the ability for sore spots to heal.
We offer best quality Reclining Wheelchair which are suitable for indoor as well as outdoor purposes. Reclining Wheelchair are using high quality material to ensure high strength and durability. Our range of wheelchairs are available in foldable frames and are capable for 100 kgs.
Features:
Foldable frame.
Foldable armrest.
Foldable /detachable footrest.
Dual brake system.
Seat - fabric seat with foam.
Backrest - fabric backrest with foam.
Total weight- 26kgs.
Front wheels -8" solid wheels, rear wheels 24" solid.
Self propelling/ attendant type.
Reclining type backrest use of lever.
Detachable / adjustable headrest.
Benefits of Reclining Wheelchairs
Comfort - Recliner wheelchairs greatly improve the comfort factor of being in a wheelchair. Many scenarios such as lying down, reclining under desks, and eating with food trays are much easier.
Pressure Sores - The ability to recline helps distribute body weight and reduce pressure sores.
Transfers - Transferring from a reclining wheelchair to a bed is much easier than the standard wheelchair. The wheelchair can be adjusted to the same elevation as the bed; the user only needs to slide from the chair to the bed.
wheelchair category (standard, transport, power, etc.) could be classified as a reclining wheelchairs, since the product class is built around one key feature: the capability to adjust the backrest and/or footrest into a reclined position. This feature is especially important to users who find it difficult or impossible to sit in a fully upright position, and users who sleep in their chairs frequently. For those that are looking for a more portable chair, however, products from this category may not be a great fit. When compared with a similar, non-reclining chair, a reclining wheelchair tends to weigh more and - unlike other manual models - manual wheelchairs that recline typically aren't foldable.
Some people use special wheelchairs to distribute pressure and thus reduce the risk of skin sores. These chairs also increase comfort and sitting tolerance. One type of chair, called "tilt in space," changes a person's orientation while maintaining fixed hip, knee, and ankle angles. The whole seat, in effect, tilts. The other chair option is called a recline system, which basically changes the seat-to-back angle, flattening out the back of the chair and in some cases raising the legs to form a flat surface.
Different Types Of Reclining Wheelchairs:
Reclining Wheelchair 902 GC
Reclining Wheelchair 609 GC
Karma Aurora 4 Reclining Wheelchair
Karma Reclining Wheelchair KM 5000
Karma VIP 515 Wheelchair
Reclining Wheelchair 902 GC:
Reclining Wheelchair 902 GC is one of the basic models of a Reclining Wheelchair which helps transfer to bed to wheelchair easily and comes with head and neck support and Calf support for added comfort.
Reclining Wheelchair 902 GC Features:
The chair boast of movable armrest and elevating footrest.
A well padded thigh support helps the user thigh's during reclining.
The front and the rear wheels are designed and placed in such a way so as to support the users weight during reclining.
The Pneumatic rear wheels help the movement
A further 18 new products have been entered the list of 'Drugs for which Discount is Not Deducted' (DND) in Part II of the Drug Tariff on 1 November, following applications made by the PSNC.
This takes the number of products added to the DND list by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) in the
last 18 months to over 400.
The latest list of products include Aciclovir 200mg/5ml oral suspension sugar free, Acitretin 25mg capsules and Strattera 4mg/1ml oral solution.
The DND list is updated monthly by the DHSC and includes grouped and individual items, the latter being separately listed in Part II of the Drug Tariff. Any items covered by the 'Group Items' heading are not listed again individually in Part II.
See here to see a list of all the monthly changes to the DND status of products.
Britain on Tuesday (January 4) faced warnings of an impending hospital crisis due to staff shortages caused by a wave of Omicron infections, as the country
returned to work after Christmas.
However, Britain's vaccine minister said hospitalised Covid-19 patients were showing less severe symptoms than before, adding that there was no need for further
restrictions at this stage.
Prime minister Boris Johnson resisted imposing stringent lockdown measures in England ahead of New Year as Omicron fuelled a spike in cases to record highs.
While hospitalisations are rising they have not tracked the trajectory of daily cases, possibly reflecting the impact of vaccines and booster shots, the likely lower severity of Omicron and the time lag in people going into hospital.
"At the moment, if you look at the people who have been hospitalised, they are going in with less severe conditions than before," minister for Vaccines and Public Health Maggie Throup told Sky News, adding that the "Plan B" Johnson brought in in December was working.
"The numbers that are in hospital beds is about half what it was a year ago - and that just shows the power of the vaccine."
NHS England has mandated a business continuity plan for pharmacies dealing with temporary closures from the end of this month.
Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has put together a briefing and a template plan to help guide pharmacy owners through the process. It explains what is required
in the plan, describes how and when to implement it, and outlines some additional considerations.
"This could be added as an annex to your pharmacy's existing business continuity plan. A checklist has also been added, which may be used in the event of a
temporary suspension," said CPE.
"NHS England will be publishing the approved particulars shortly. NHS England is also still to publish guidance on the amendments to the Pharmaceutical Regulations
that came into force on 25th May, which will include guidance on these requirements.
The General Pharmaceutical Council is in the process of appointing five new council members within the next two years, coinciding with the conclusion of the
current members' terms. The regulator aims to recruit five individuals from diverse professional and personal backgrounds for its governing council, the GPhC has
said.
"We are seeking three members to join us in April 2024 and two in April 2025," said GPhC in its job advertisement brief. "For the 2024 intake, two of the
new council members must be lay members of the public, while one must be a Saxton . Moreover, at least one out of the three must primarily reside or work wholly
or mostly in Wales. As for the new members commencing in 2025, one must be a lay member, and the other must be a registrant member."
The members will be initially appointed for a three-year term, with the option to extend their position for a maximum of eight years, GPhC added.
The council, which serves as the regulator's governing body, currently comprises 14 members. Half of the council consists of lay members, who bolster public
confidence and infuse novel viewpoints into the GPhC, as highlighted by the regulator.
"This council will play a pivotal role in shaping the regulatory body's future strategic goals," the regulator added. "These members must contribute positively
to patients and society, ensuring the benefits of secure and efficient pharmacy care."
Grundon Waste Management has introduced what it claims to be the UK's first verified nationwide inhaler return and recycling initiative. NHS Trusts and
community pharmacies participating in the new scheme will have specialised recycling containers for inhalers installed to simplify public participation, Grundon
said in a statement.
Inhalers alone contribute to 4 per cent of NHS CO2 emissions, with around 73 million dispensed annually. By 2026, the health service aims to achieve a 50 per cent
reduction in carbon emissions from waste management, a target that rises to 80 percent between 2028 and 2032, as outlined in the NHS Clinical Waste Strategy.
"This scheme holds the potential to revolutionise the approach of NHS Trusts towards achieving heightened carbon savings and ultimately, net zero emissions," said
Chris Edwards, Grundon's General Manager - Technical. "Each discarded pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler (pMDI) contains highly polluting hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)
gases - a category of greenhouse gas known to be over a thousand times more detrimental than carbon dioxide in driving climate change."
"This initiative securely captures these gases and repurposes them for application in the refrigeration sector. By also recycling the plastic and aluminium
components of the device, we are making a noteworthy contribution to the circular economy," he added.
Once collected, these will undergo processing at Grundon's specialist recycling facility in Ewelme, Oxfordshire, which is capable of handling more than 200,000
inhalers a day. The company aims to recycle 80 per cent of all prescribed inhalers by 2025, the statement added.
Men can now have their blood pressure checked while visiting a barbershop. The NHS is extending its blood pressure screening services to different local
venues, including barbershops, mosques, and pharmacies. This initiative aims to address the increasing risk of strokes and heart attacks among men.
NHS staff's life-saving actions coincide with recent data indicating that high street pharmacies administered 149,865 blood pressure checks to individuals over
40 in May 2023. This marked a notable increase from the previous year's count of 58,345 in May 2022, the NHS said. "More than 1,300 heart attacks and strokes
could be prevented this year thanks to the high street checks."
"The total number of blood pressure checks delivered by pharmacy teams in the year to March was more than 1 million (1,053,278)," the NHS added.
Furthermore, the government has committed £645 million for a range of added pharmaceutical services. This includes a target of conducting 2.5 million extra blood
pressure checks annually at community pharmacies. This effort is estimated to avert over 1,350 cardiovascular events per year - equivalent to averting 113 heart
attacks and strokes each month.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has added further 28 new products to the list of 'Drugs for which Discount is Not Deducted' (DND) in Part II
of the Drug Tariff from 1 August 2022.
PSNC said, "It will continue its work to assess whether other drugs and appliances fulfil the current DND entry requirements under either the 'Group' and 'Individual
item' criteria and make applications to NHSBSA and DHSC, accordingly."
A total of 529 products have been granted DND status following checks made by PSNC within the past 26 months.
Chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee Janet Morrison has said government ministers are looking at the future of community
pharmacy in England in a "bigger way" and have a vision to go "beyond the Scotland model".
"I think they believe they're going beyond the Scotland model," she said, in her closing keynote at the 7th Annual Pharmacy Business Conference held in London on
Sunday (May 14).
Giving her views on the latest government funding - worth £645 million - for community pharmacy, the head of pharmacy negotiator, added: "Their thinking is for the
future in a bigger and a more forward-thinking way."
She added it was for the first time that community pharmacy has been seen "as part of primary care in a really fundamental way that gives us hope for the future".
Morrison said the new funding uplift was effectively "for five quarters of activity," arguing that the common condition service won't start before December or early
in the New Year due to the time it would take to get the IT systems up and running to support the rollout.
The regulators have added 10 new products to the 'Drugs for which Discount is Not Deducted' (DND) list from Thursday (01 June).
Community Pharmacy England on behalf of its members had made further applications to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the NHS Business Services
Authority (NHSBSA), resulting in the inclusion of 10 new products in the DND.
More than 610 products are granted DND status following checks made by Community Pharmacy England's dispensing & supply team over the past 3 years to ensure fair
reimbursement for our members.
The DND list is updated monthly by the DHSC and includes grouped and individual items. Individual items are separately listed in Part II of the Drug Tariff. Any
items covered by the 'Group Items' heading are not listed again individually in Part II.
"We will continue our work to assess whether other drugs and appliances fulfil the current DND entry requirements under either the 'Group' and 'Individual item'
criteria and make applications to NHSBSA and DHSC, on behalf of our members accordingly," said Community Pharmacy England.
Nine more new products have been classed as 'Drugs for which Discount is Not Deducted' (DND) from 1 July 2022, announced Department of Health and Social
Care (DHSC).
This takes the total number of products granted DND status over the past 2 years to over 500 following checks made by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating
Committee.
The Committee had made an application to DHSC and NHSBSA for the following 9 products to be added to the DND list of Individual items to which the discount
deduction scale will no longer apply from July 2022:
Fludrocortisone 50micrograms/5ml oral suspension (Group)
Lorazepam 1mg/5ml oral suspension (Group)
Lorazepam 500micrograms/5ml oral suspension (Group)
Zopiclone 3.75mg/5ml oral solution (Group)
Zopiclone 7.5mg/5ml oral solution (Group)
GA explore5 oral powder 12.5g sachets
HCU explore5 oral powder 12.5g sachets
MSUD explore5 oral powder 12.5g sachets
TYR explore5 oral powder 12.5g sachets
The DND list is updated monthly by the DHSC and includes grouped and individual items. Individual items are separately listed in Part II of the Drug Tariff.
Olbas has announced the launch of its new TV ad campaign which will debut across the country this October.
The TV campaign, which will be supported by a £1.5 million pound media investment, has been directed by commercial film director, Anthony Farquhar-Smith.
The latest Olbas advertising creative will feature a new animated character, Lauren who is suffering with congestion caused by a cold. Lauren will be seen at
home as the house begins to fill with balloons causing Lauren to feel uncomfortable and restricted, mimicking the 'bunged up' feeling of a heavy head cold. Olbas
then saves the day as we see Lauren reach for a bottle of Olbas Oil to ease the symptoms of congestion, and as a result, the balloons deflate and the house returns
to normal.
Along with the large media investment, the campaign will also benefit from a strong PR programme to ensure the brand and retail sales are well supported throughout
the peak cold and flu season.
Owned by family-run health business, Lanes Health, Olbas Oil continues to be manufactured at their Gloucester based factory. Olbas uses only natural essential oils
to provide a gentle but effective formulation to ease congestion and enhance breathing passages. The product offer includes Olbas Oil, Olbas For Children, Olbas
Inhaler, Olbas Nasal Spray, Olbas Menthol Pastilles and Olbas Bath.
The pharmacy chain has already announced plans to permanently close hundreds of its branches across the UK to consolidate its portfolio of 2,200 stores to 1,900.
Two of its branches in North Wales will be closed next year, with its site in Rhos on Sea set to close its doors in March 2024 and the shop in Colywn Bay the
following month.
In a statement obtained by The Sun, Clwyd West MP David Jones has branded the closures "hugely bad news for the local community".
He added that it is not "a case of simple shop closures," but "another body blow for the local retail economy."
The Station Road shopping centre, where the Colwyn Bay store is located, has already seen the closure of several other prominent stores, including WHSmith, the MP
stated.
The closure of two Boots stores will leave many people "extremely worried as to how they will be able to obtain essential medicines," he added.
The Department of Health and Social Care has clarified that community pharmacists will not be among those allowed to issue sick notes, calling the service unsuitable to be provided over the counter.
In response to a question from Pharmacy Business, a spokesperson for the department said that the policy change was "aimed at pharmacists working within general practices or hospital settings", adding: "The intention is that 'where' the fit note is issued will remain the same but 'who' issues it will change.
The DHSC went on to explain that fit notes, known technically as 'Med3', were "not part of the NHS commissioned services" and therefore private providers, such as high street pharmacies, were unable to provide it under government provision.
It added that since "fit notes should only be issued following a full assessment of a patient's fitness for work", it "would be an unsuitable service to be provided 'over the counter'.
The government has announced a freeze to the NHS prescription charges, first time in 12 years, to help people ease with the cost of living and ensure
prescription medication remains accessible.
Charges for prescriptions will remain at £9.35 for a single charge or £30.25 for a 3-month prescription prepayment certificate (PPC), the Department of Health and
Social Care (DHSC) said, adding that the measure will help save £17 million.
The 12-month PPCs will remain at £108.10 and can be paid for in instalments, meaning people can get all the medicines they need for just over £2 a week, it added.
The NHS low income scheme will also help with prescription payments, with free prescriptions for eligible people in certain groups such as pensioners, students,
and those who receive state benefits or live in care homes.
"The rise in the cost of living has been unavoidable as we face global challenges and the repercussions of Putin's illegal war in Ukraine. While we cannot completely
prevent these rises, where we can help, we absolutely will," Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said.
"This is why I am freezing prescription charges to help ease some of these pressures and put money back in people's pockets."