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Tom Renhard, IMHN’s CEO, has been supporting the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to co-produce the The Working with People and Communities Charter, which represents a new commitment to working with the community to plan future health services.
The Charter has been co-produced by the CCG and members of its Patient and Public Involvement Forum (PPIF). This forum includes members of the public with first-hand experience of services, and patient groups from across the region who reflect the views of wider communities. The charter outlines the vision for the work that the CCG undertakes, and the principles they will seek to follow.
Tom is quoted in the CCG’s press release announcing the launch of the charter. Read what he has to say about the CCG’s new commitment by clicking here (this weblink takes you to the CCG’s news and updates pages).
July 10, 2020 at 11:38 am
Many people take medication; some people take medication for their mental health, some people for their physical health, and many people for both. The Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN) has been seeking guidance on behalf of people who take medication, particularly those that receive repeat prescriptions.
Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG has been in touch with us to confirm the current recommendations, which are listed below:
- the NHS recommends that members of the public can continue to access community pharmacies as normal unless they are displaying symptoms, such as a high temperature or new continuous cough.
- if you are self-isolating and cannot access the pharmacy for repeat prescriptions, please friends and/or family for support or use https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/ for advice
- the public area encouraged to order repeat prescriptions as usual, with 7-10 days of medicine remaining
The NHS is also asking the public not to stockpile medicines or ask for more medicines than they need.
“Stockpiling or purchasing medication that isn’t needed could disadvantage other patients who can’t get essential medication when they need it. There is also a bigger risk of shortages if stockpiling disrupts the normal supply chain. The NHS is ensuring pharmacists are being provided with a greater supply of paracetamol to support demand.”
IMHN will continue to share updates if the situation changes. We are now seeking guidance on behalf of those who receive short-term prescriptions (for example, people who have recently started courses of antidepressant medication).
March 20, 2020 at 12:12 pm