Volunteers Needed - New Chronic Pain Toolkit Evaluation
Published: 09/05/24

Our colleagues on the Scottish Pharmacy Pain Network are looking for some pharmacists with an interest in pain management to contribute to the review of a new Scottish Government resource - the details are below if this sounds up your street.
Please Note: that this is a purely voluntary opportunity, the deadline for application is the 20th of May and there are 8 spaces available on a first come, first served basis.
Pain toolkit reviewers needed!
As part of the Scottish Government’s National Framework for Chronic Pain Service Delivery, a Chronic Pain Learning Toolkit has been developed. The aim of this toolkit is to develop a knowledgeable and compassionate Scottish workforce supporting people with chronic pain to live well and ensuring they have access to care that is safe and effective.
We are looking for volunteers to test the modules and provide feedback.
In the first instance we are looking to create a database of volunteers and we will send out module links and evaluation forms once we have sufficient numbers
How long will the evaluation take if I agree to take part?
The module is made up of 5 sections.
You will be allocated 3 sections to complete and evaluate. This will take approx. 2-2.5hours. If you wish to complete the whole module (5 sections) you will be able to do so. You can do this at a time that is convenient for you.
What will this involve?
Complete 3 modules on TURAS and complete 4 evaluation measures on word doc and MS forms- pre and post module.
Attitudes and Beliefs Questionnaire
Confidence scale
Knowledge quiz
Reflective document
Why have I been asked to take part?
The Skilled Practice Type Modules are aimed at professionals working in healthcare, but not in a specialist pain setting, who directly support someone with chronic pain to manage their pain condition. To ensure the success of the toolkit in supporting staff with the knowledge and skills to manage patient with chronic pain, evaluation of its relevance and impact is key. In taking part in this evaluation you will help to shape the content and delivery to increase the Toolkits’ success.
What do I do now?
If you would be willing to take part please email deborah.steven@nhs.scot to confirm, and providing your job role and the email you are registered with on TURAS learn.
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
We can now confirm that Pharmacy Technicians will be included under the updated definition of ‘regulated roles’ and will therefore require PVG Scheme membership from 1st April 2025.
Yesterday (14 May 2025), Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) welcomed members to the first Council session of the 2025 - 2028 term.
Your next courier collection is scheduled for Thursday, May 22nd, 2025. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.
The First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, announced this week the Programme for Government for 2025/26. He stated that "this programme is focused on delivery and hope. Delivery in response to the challenges we know people are facing in their everyday lives.
This Circular advises community pharmacy contractors that the four UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for Estradot® (estradiol) transdermal patches, a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) product, due to expire on 2 May 2025 have been extended.
The current Public Health Scotland poster campaign topic is Lyme Disease. The campaign aims to increase awareness of Lyme disease; how it is transmitted (via ticks) and vital signs and symptoms to look out for. Posters should be displayed within your pharmacy.
This article includes guidance around the process of submitting claims for the generic version of Varenicline. This applies to dispensing against prescriptions and the use of the newly re-launched PGD.
As a part of our work with the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland, we regularly raise lines of concern and work to secure adjusted prices for these.
Your next courier collection is scheduled for Thursday, May 8th, 2025. We have produced the following guidelines for your prescription bag submissions.
The NHS circular PCA(P)(2025)08 informs NHS Boards and community pharmacy contractors of new arrangements in place for the procurement and reimbursement of Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir).
Check out our Policy & PR Pharmacist, Sarah Scott, speaking to BBC Radio Scotland this morning about how people can manage insect bites and associated symptoms and how to access expert support through NHS Pharmacy First Scotland.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has announced draft legislation has been laid out, with a view to the legislation coming into force for Hub and Spoke dispensing between different community pharmacy legal entities in October 2025 (The Human Medicines (Amendments Relating to Hub and Spoke Dispensing etc.) Regulations 2025).
The Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) Board has accepted the Scottish Government’s financial offer detailing the initial focus on the reimbursement arrangements within the community pharmacy funding envelope for the financial year 2025/26.
This circular sets out to community pharmacy contractors and Health Boards the details of the reimbursement arrangements as part of the community pharmacy funding settlement for 2025/26.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is consulting on proposals to increase registration fees for Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, and Pharmacy premises over a two year period.
Due to ongoing discussions with PHS the final round of Adjusted Prices for April are likely to be agreed and published on Thursday 1st May 2025. This will result in the May Part 7 file being agreed and published slightly later than the 1st of May.
The CPS 2025 Election has now concluded. We’d like to thank everyone who got involved. We have some new faces and some familiar ones. We’d like to take this opportunity to welcome our new CPS Board for 2025 - 2028.
This week’s MCR Ready Reckoner has been updated and is now available to download or you can view it via the App.
Community Pharmacy Scotland was pleased to meet with Dame Jackie Baillie MSP on Tuesday at The Scottish Parliament to discuss the vital role of community pharmacy in Scotland's healthcare system.
Our colleagues at NSS have asked us to pass on the following message:
NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) are undertaking a tech refresh of the Patient Registration Service (PRS) to ensure continued support. As part of this process, NSS will need to schedule a PRS system downtime.
Here is a round-up of all the important news this week, including the latest events, webinars and Independent Prescribing news within Community Pharmacy for the 24th April 2025.
Our colleagues at Public Health Scotland (PHS) have asked us to share the following update regarding the COVID-19 spring vaccine poster for people with a weakened immune system.
Here is a round-up of all the important news this week, including the latest events, webinars and Independent Prescribing news within Community Pharmacy for the 17th April 2025.
This week The Scotsman newspaper revealed that Scotland is on course for the highest number of annual flu deaths in almost half a century after more than than 350,000 fewer vaccines were given this winter.
Development of a new CPS strategy is well underway, with a final draft soon to be sent to the CPS Board for review.
Robert Gordon University (RGU) have developed a qualification aimed at post-registration pharmacy technicians across the UK entitled: BSc (Hons) Clinical Practice for Pharmacy Technicians.
You will play a key part in leading the pharmacy team, working across the healthcare area and dispensary, to meet patients’ needs. Your focus each day will be to look after your team, deliver a great service to our patients, through managing the workload and people to deliver on the operational requirements of the position.

Policy & Development Pharmacist
The Chief Medical Officer has asked us to share the following advice with the network: Community pharmacists should not supply antiviral medicines in primary care on presentation of a GP10 prescription form.