Helping you deliver patient-centred care with the latest news and essential information about key products and developments in store.
PhysioFast Online
This month, we talked to Shaun Hemmings, Pharmacist Services Specialist at Boots, about the online physiotherapy provider PhysioFast Online. Shaun answered our questions about what the service is, how the appointments work and the main benefits for our customers. To find out more, click on the interview.
Movember
You've probably heard of Movember: the movement by the Movember Foundation that challenges men to grow a moustache throughout November, which is Men's Health Awareness Month. This challenge helps to raise funds and awareness around men's health issues - namely prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. To find out more and get involved this November, visit uk.movember.com
Click the boxes below for product updates and news.
- Products & updates
- Boots Pneumonia Vaccination Service
- NHS Mail
- Supporting customers
with diabetes
- Interview:
PhysioFast Online
Salonpas Pain Relief Patch (GSL)
Methyl salicylate; levomenthol
Item code: 78-73-360
An anti-inflammatory patch for pain relief of muscle and joints associated with strains, sprains, backache and bruises.
Salonpas Pain Relief Patch:
- Delivers the active ingredients directly to the site of pain with less systemic exposure
- Works for up to 12 hours
- Stretchable and flexible
- Can be used on and around joints
- Easy to apply.
This product is suitable for adults aged 18 years and over. For usage and directions, read the product pack and leaflet. Customers should be advised to use no more than two plasters in 24 hours. The patches should not be used for more than three days in a row.
See below for product information.
Ensure NutriVigor
Item codes:
Vanilla: 86-82-569; Chocolate: 86-82-577
Ensure NutriVigor, an innovative food supplement, is specially formulated to support muscles and energy levels, which can be helpful during recovery and periods of weakness.*+
This product is a powdered nutritional shake with a unique blend of protein, calcium, vitamin D and CaHMB. It can help to build and maintain muscle mass and help combat fatigue during recovery from surgery or illness.+
Ensure NutriVigor is part of the Ensure brand: the world's number one oral nutritional supplement. Available in chocolate and vanilla flavours.
Directions for use: Simply mix with water to create a tasty shake. To prepare, gradually add six level scoops to 195ml of cold water. Stir or shake thoroughly to dissolve the powder.
Date of preparation: September 2020. UK-ENSN-2000019
Juul
Item codes: See Boots.com
For adult smokers looking for an alternative to cigarettes.‡
- Uses proprietary e-liquid in order to meet the satisfaction standards of adult cigarette smokers
- JUUL Device Kit comes with a USB charging dock and two-year warranty
- Disposable, snap-in JUULpods make it easy to customise the user experience
- No messy refills
- Golden Tobacco JUULpod is an accessible and familiar flavour experience for adult smokers.
Directions for use: Remove the coloured cap from the JUULpod and insert into the JUUL Device. No buttons required to turn it on; simply draw on the mouthpiece.
Bio-Kult Boosted
Item codes: See Boots.com
A unique multi-action live bacteria formulation targeting the digestive and immune system.*§
- The same great 14 strains of live bacteria found in Bio-Kult Advanced, proven to survive the high acidity of the stomach, but at four times the concentration
- Contains vitamin B12 which contributes to the normal function of the immune system
- Can be taken every day as part of a healthy lifestyle
- Does not need to be refrigerated and can be taken alongside antibiotics, while travelling and by vegetarians.
For directions for use, see product pack.
Boots High Strength
Vitamin C + Vitamin D
Item code: 11-56-489
A combination of vitamins C and D for dual action immune support.*
- Vitamins C and D support the normal function of the immune system
- High strength: contains 1000mg of vitamin C and 25µg of vitamin D per tablet
- Suitable for vegetarians.
This product is free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives and is lactose-free.
Directions for use: Adults and children over 12 years can take one tablet per day with plenty of liquid. Advise customers not to exceed the daily dose.
Product information
Salonpas Pain Relief Patch contains Methyl Salicylate; Levomenthol. Indications: For the symptomatic relief of pain of muscles and joints associated with strains and sprains. Legal category: GSL. Information about this product, including adverse reactions, precautions, contraindications and method of use can be found at https://mhraproducts4853.blob.core.windows.net/docs/cb33848847c9478298fb83815543cee8cee6c291 Marketing authorisation number: PL 23168/0001. Further information is available from Licence Holder: Hisamitsu UK Limited, 5 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1LG, UK. Last revised: February 2020.
BOOTS PNEUMONIA VACCINATION SERVICE
Getting a pneumonia vaccination can help to protect customers against one of the major causes of hospitalisation and death in the UK.
Pneumonia can affect anyone, but some people are at increased risk of catching it. Risk factors include:
- Increasing age
- Smoking
- A weakened immune system
- Having certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or respiratory conditions.
Many customers aren't aware that they are able to access a pneumonia vaccination. The Boots Pneumonia Vaccination Service* provides the opportunity to help protect customers against 13 of the most common strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. The service costs £70 and is a one-off jab giving long-lasting protection.
Who is the service for?
The service is suitable for customers aged 18 years and over, but some customers who may be particularly interested include:
- Those attending a flu vaccination, as the pneumonia vaccination can be given at the same time
- Those caring for others - if they fall ill, it may put the welfare of others at risk
- The self-employed who cannot afford to take time off
- Those travelling to countries which have higher levels of pneumococcal infections.
What about the NHS vaccination?
Certain groups of customers are eligible to receive a pneumonia vaccination on the NHS, such as customers over 65 years or those with certain long-term health conditions. The NHS vaccine is a different type of vaccination to the one used in the Boots service so customers may want to consider having both to further increase their protection against pneumonia.
Top tips to drive awareness
- Identify potential customers and make them aware of the service
- Talk to your local GP surgeries about the benefits of the service; they may be able to signpost suitable patients to Boots stores
- Educate the team and get them involved with engaging customers
- Signpost customers to Boots.com/pneumonia for more information.
* Subject to store opening times, stock, pharmacist availability and patient eligibility.
NHS MAIL
We are launching new functionality within the digital pharmacy prescription service that will enable you to send automatic requests to NHS prescription request email addresses.
How will this work?
The customer places a non GP-Link order through digital pharmacy for their prescription. The order will then be transmitted via the store NHS mail account directly to the surgery NHS repeat prescription account.
What do stores need to do?
- Stores will receive a notification to advise that there is an order on the digital pharmacy platform
- Print off the Store Record Form (SRF) and note the order's due date on the Patient Medication Record (PMR)
- Dispense medication when prescription received
- Log back into digital pharmacy and move order over to 'ready to collect' tab.
This functionality removes the workload associated with sending the order to the surgery from the store. It also speeds up getting the prescription from the surgery, so customers can receive their medicines sooner.
All stores in England will receive this functionality from 12 November and Scotland will follow shortly afterwards. Look out for the guidance that will be published on BootsLive this month.
SUPPORTING CUSTOMERS WITH DIABETES
In your role, you can help customers with diabetes to live well this winter by providing support, advice and information.
1 in 4 people who have died in hospital in England following a diagnosis of Covid-19 had diabetes.1 People with diabetes are no more likely to catch Covid-19 than anyone else, but are more vulnerable to developing a severe illness if they catch it.2 This makes care for customers with diabetes even more important this winter.
- It is vital that customers have access to the medicines they need, so stores with Columbus should ensure they are Columbus compliant to make sure medicines are in stock and prescriptions are ready on time
- You can encourage customers to sign up to the Text Message Service so they are notified when their prescriptions are ready. This will help to limit unnecessary trips and time spent in the pharmacy
- Patients may need extra support with medicines. Pharmacists can talk to them about a New Medicine Review if they have had a change in medication.
Diabetes UK has made a checklist of 15 Healthcare Essentials that people with diabetes should be receiving, which has been distributed in stores. This checklist can be used as a prompt for in-store conversations.
References:
1. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus-statistics
2. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus
References last accessed October 2020.
INTERVIEW - SHAUN HEMMINGS
PhysioFast Online
Talking to Shaun Hemmings, Pharmacist Services Specialist at Boots, about the remote physiotherapy services offered by PhysioFast Online and how it can help our customers.
What is PhysioFast Online?
PhysioFast Online is an online physiotherapy provider that offers remote, paid-for physiotherapy services seven days a week, between 8am and 9pm. It's meeting a need that is out there for customers to access physiotherapist services when it's convenient for them.
How do customers book an appointment?
We have a service page that links through to the PhysioFast Online website, giving our customers the opportunity to access the service via Boots.com. From its website, customers can book 30 or 45-minute appointments at a time that's convenient for them. They can select the next available physio or, if they've had an appointment before, they can choose to see the same physio as last time. It's really straightforward and only takes a couple of minutes to book an appointment. Customers have flexibility as it's easy to cancel or change appointment times.
It's meeting a need that is out there for customers to access physiotherapist services when it's convenient for them.
What are the appointments like?
Once the customer has booked and paid for the appointment, they will receive a link that takes them through to the actual appointment. The appointments are done via video call, and all customers need is an internet-enabled device to access them. The physiotherapist will discuss the customer's symptoms and use graphics to demonstrate the different muscle groups and bones in the body that may be affected. Based on the consultation, they put together a personalised treatment plan which is sent through to the customer via email, providing a ready-made resource that they can go back and access at any time.
What are the benefits of the service?
As the service is online, it avoids the need for face-to-face contact during the current pandemic. Around 80 to 85 per cent of patients can be treated online compared to being physically in a physio clinic, but for those 15 to 20 per cent of patients that can't resolve their issues remotely, the physio will refer to the GP so they can access local services.
Convenience is also a major factor - customers can choose an appointment at a date and time that suits them and their needs. Often, same-day appointments are even available. For those customers who are stuck on waiting lists or finding it difficult to get an appointment with their GP, PhysioFast Online gives people the option for direct and quick access to physiotherapy. There's a lot of guidance and studies out there that say early access to physiotherapy services is massively beneficial to patient recovery times,1 so this is really important. PhysioFast Online are at the forefront of doing this and it's a space that's going to grow, as online doctors have, so it's really exciting.
For more information about PhysioFast Online, visit Boots.com/physiotherapy or physiofastonline.uk
References:
1. https://www.csp.org.uk/system/files/documents/2018-11/stretched-to-the-limit-2012.pdf
Reference last accessed October 2020.