11/03/21: New COPD guidelines for Staffordshire and SOT CCGs

The APC/APG has approved the Staffordshire and SOT CCGs COPD Guidelines. There is also a supporting document on 'Essential adaptations in Primary Care Diagnosis and Management of COPD during COVID19 pandemic'. These documents are now available on netFormulary. Clinicians should familiarise themselves with the document and employ its use in clinical practice. Any queries can be directed to the Medicines Optimisation Team. 

09/02/2021 Updated email address for MPFT Rheumatology team

The Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) has notified the Staffordshire CCG’s Medicines Optimisation Team that the email address for contacting the Rheumatology Specialist teams regarding shared-care agreements (ESCAs) used in North Staffordshire has been updated.

All queries relating to the use of the MPFT’s rheumatology ESCAs i.e. drug monitoring, dose review, specialist input etc., can be directed to the new email above or the helpline telephone number: 01782 673687

10/12/2020: New ESCAs in North Staffordshire

Two ESCAs were approved by the Area Prescribing Committee (North) in September 2020 for use in North Staffordshire. They are:

• Methotrexate for the treatment of Autoimmune Rheumatic diseases (Version 4.1)- This was updated to include additional monitoring information if prescribed concurrently with Leflunomide.
• Tizanidine for the treatment of spasticity associated with brain injuries, multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury or disease (Version 1.0)- This is a new ESCA developed by MPFT.

Note that both drugs have an ‘Amber-E’ status on the North Staffs formulary for the relevant indications, thus transfer of prescribing into primary care MUST be accompanied by an agreed ESCA form.

All APC approved ESCAs are available on netFormulary via the link: http://www.northstaffordshirejointformulary.nhs.uk/docs/esca/

For any prescribing-related issues, please contact the respective medicines optimisation team.

3/11/2020 PRODUCT DISCONTINUATION:

Bydureon 2 mg powder and solvent for prolonged-release suspension for injection in pre-filled pen (exenatide once-weekly) will be discontinued from 31/12/2020. Clinicians should note that the old device is being replaced by the Bydureon BCise pen (exenatide 2mg prolonged-release injectable suspension); a once weekly, single use, fixed dose pen with a hidden needle that automatically injects the required dose, allowing for simpler administration compared to the old Bydureon device. Prior to prescribing and administration of this new device, patient and caregivers training must be undertaken by a healthcare professional

Everyone Health, the service provider for smoking cessation service confirms it is now open to all tobacco smokers, living anywhere in Staffordshire, aged 40 years and over. Referrals can still be made by calling the contact centre on 0333 005 0095, or via email: eh.staffs@nhs.net

4/8/20 Updated Gluten-Free Prescribing policy 2020

The updated Gluten-Free Prescribing policy 2020 can be found on the Homepage, Guidelines and Clinical Pathways link on the North Staffordshire Joint Formulary.