Forensic Medical Services Act 2021 and Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS)
The Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS) has been implemented across Scotland following the Forensic Medical Services Act (2021) coming into Scottish legislation. The Act enables self-referral to healthcare for victims of sexual abuse (16 years of age and over) whether or not they wish to report to the police at that time. Further details can be found here.
New regulations for single use plastic and polystyrene in Scotland start 1st June 2022
The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 ban some single use plastics and polystyrene from being supplied in the course of business from the 1st June 2022. Information on how your pharmacy can comply with the legislation is available here.
Health inequalities consultation
Community pharmacies can help reduce health inequalities, the NPA has said in its response to a Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee Inquiry. The aim of the consultation was to explore the progress towards tackling health inequalities in Scotland since 2015. It also looks into any cross-sectoral work undertaken over that time period to address social inequalities and what impact this has had on health inequalities. Read the full consultation response here.
NPA Menopause and HRT hub
An NPA Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) dedicated hub has been published to support members. It includes common HRT queries, availability, alternatives and charges. You can also access the latest updates regarding menopause and HRT including clinical guidelines and alternative therapies, signposting, Government consultations and Serious Shortage Protocols (SSP).
You can view it here.
Pharmacies providing pharmacy services at a distance: NPA Checklist and Risk assessment
Pharmacies providing pharmacy services at a distance including via the internet can now access the NPA Checklist and Risk assessment and risk reduction template. Click here for more information.
Scottish Workforce NPA survey
To inform our conversations with Scottish pharmacy stakeholders on current workforce issues, the NPA would be obliged if you could take a couple of minutes to answer this very brief anonymous poll here.
Public Health Services Poster 11 April - 29 May
The Community Pharmacy Public Health Service poster for display from now until the end of May is for the Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS) which is NHS Scotland’s dedicated sexual assault service. Details of the poster and the arrangements for poster delivery and replacement can be found in NHS Circular here - PCA2022(P)07
Launch on new style L2 accredited courses
We are very pleased to announce that our five Level 2 courses were recently re-accredited by the GPhC. These new style courses are now open for enrolments. Click here for more information.