“Winter crisis” prompts call for urgent review

There is an urgent need for a review into patient safety ahead of the winter months, the Patient Association has announced.

The latest statistics released by NHS England "paint a very worrying picture" as we progress into the winter months, Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of the Patients Association, said.

“Frontline emergency care is suffering and, unless something is done to relieve the pressure on staff across the country, the NHS faces a winter crisis on an unprecedented scale,” she commented.

Pharmacists concerned about low flu jab uptake

Concern about the low uptake of flu vaccinations at GP surgeries has been echoed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), Pharmacy Voice and the Pharmaceutical Society Negotiating Committee (PSNC).

Figures released this week by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) revealed 6% fewer flu jabs have been administered this year compared with the same period last year.

A spokesperson for the pharmaceutical bodies said: “Community pharmacies will continue to work hard through the flu season to encourage eligible patients to have their vaccinations.

“Community pharmacy offers convenient high street access as an alternative for the public, including historically hard to reach groups, and we will continue to work with GPs to try to increase overall uptake of the vaccination.”

MP visits community pharmacy for flu jab

Scarborough and Whitby MP Robert Goodwill visited Scarborough Delivery Chemist on Friday to receive a flu jab, the Whitby Gazette has reported.

The Conservative politician praised the "quick, easy and convenient” service given as part of the first-ever national pharmacy flu vaccination scheme.

New guidance on Misuse of Drugs Regulations released

From 30 November 2015, amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 will make the use of an approved form for the requisitioning of Schedule 2 and 3 Controlled Drugs in the community mandatory.

This is a remaining Shipman Inquiry recommendation aimed at ensuring that the purchase of stocks of these controlled drugs within the community can be monitored.

For England there is a new approved requisition form in electronic format that is available on the NHS Business Services Authority website. This replaces the form that is currently used in England. Scotland and Wales will continue to use the forms under their existing arrangements.

Devo Drive set to make the whole of Greater Manchester more dementia-friendly

A new partnership, Dementia United, has been launched today which recognises dementia as a devolution priority for Greater Manchester.

The partnership will also include the involvement of a range of associated organisations from charity groups, emergency services, mental health providers and housing and cultural organisations.

Sir David Dalton, Chief Executive of Salford Royal, said: "It is incredibly ambitious, seeking to change the commissioning of services and provision of care while also testing new care models.”