NHS SY ICB -Community Pharmacy COVID-19 Triage, Assessment & Prescribing Service

Description

NHS South Yorkshire ICB are seeking submission of bids from community pharmacy contractors to provide a community pharmacy-led COVID-19 triage, assessment, and prescribing service for patients of the highest risk. Since 2023, NHS England has instructed ICBs that covid antivirals should be available in a community setting, shifting the service from secondary care to a private provider. The current NICE recommended treatments were reviewed by SY Integrated Medicines Optimisation Committee (IMOC) and retained a RED traffic light status, meaning prescribing is recommended by services with specialist knowledge and experience. <br/>The ICB is committed to establishing prescribing services through community pharmacies and procurement of this service is an opportunity for contractors interested in delivering prescribing services to develop their workforce to gain specialist knowledge for the assessment and prescribing of COVID-19. Lot 1: This Service aims to ensure eligible patients across SY can access Covid treatment when indicated, given demand that may be urgent and/or unpredictable. <br/><br/>Objectives <br/><br/>To ensure access for South Yorkshire patients to clinical assessment and treatment for Covid. <br/><br/>To reduce the risk of complications from COVID-19. <br/><br/>To support people, carers and clinicians by providing them with up-to-date information and advice, and onward referral where appropriate. <br/><br/>To provide safe and timely access to treatment when routine routes of supply would cause a delay.