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  • Letters and urgent communications 2020

    Topics:
    • Professional medical and environmental health advice, 
    • Chief Medical Officer, 
    • HSS(MD) Letters and urgent communications

    Date published: 4 September 2020

    Last updated: 31 December 2020

    Advice from the Chief Medical Officer to HSC professionals for 2020

    Documents

    • HSS (MD) 94/2020 – From the Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride, regarding the UK COVID-19 Vaccination ProgrammesAdobe PDF (1.39 MB)
    • HSS (MD) 93/2020 - Deployment of the Astrazeneca Covid-19 Vaccine in Northern Ireland and Updated Jcvi Advice on Covid-19 VaccinesAdobe PDF (493.9 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 92/2020 - New Variant of SARS-CoV-2 Virus in South Africa : Action for Health Service in Northern IrelandAdobe PDF (184.2 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 91/2020 - COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert - Therapeutic Anticoagulation (Heparin) in the Management of Severe COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Positive PatientsAdobe PDF (459.11 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 90/2020 - Guidance on death certification during the Covid-19 pandemicAdobe PDF (423.67 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 89/2020 - Hysteroscopy: Pain management and informed consentAdobe PDF (179.54 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 88/2020 - The Human Medicines (Coronavirus) (Further Amendments) Regulations 2020Adobe PDF (191.84 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 87/2020 - Updated Resuscitation Council UK Guidance on the Management of Anaphylaxis in the Vaccination SettingAdobe PDF (392.11 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 86/2020 - Covid-19 therapeutic alert - Azithromycin in the management of Covid-19 (Sars-CoV-2) positive patientsAdobe PDF (294.65 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 85/2020 - Adrenaline for anaphylaxis kits – A reminder to healthcare professionalsAdobe PDF (294.91 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 84/2020 - Pfizer BioNtech Covid-Vaccine - Updated guidance on managing allergic reactionsAdobe PDF (397.48 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 83/2020 - Continuation of Seasonal Flu Programme by Peer VaccinatorsAdobe PDF (195.2 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 82/2020 - Deployment of the Covid-19 Vaccine in Northern IrelandAdobe PDF (687.69 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 81/2020 - Atracurium Besilate Solution for Injection Vials and Ampoules (All Strengths) – Supply Disruption AlertAdobe PDF (459.01 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 80/2020 – Winter Vaccines and ResearchAdobe PDF (259.63 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 79/2020 - Confirmed Influenza isolates in Northern Ireland - NICE guidance on use of antivirals now appliesAdobe PDF (269.26 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 78/2020 - Publication of an Interim Position Statement : Tocilizumab for Patients admitted to ICU with COVID-19 Pneumonia (Adults)Adobe PDF (226.58 KB)
    • Interim Position Statement: Tocilizumab for patients admitted to ICU with COVID-19 pneumonia (adults) - 25 November 2020Adobe PDF (200.48 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 77/2020 - Expression of Interest to all Registered Health Care Professionals to Become Sessional Vaccinators to Help Implement the Forthcoming COVID-19 Vaccination ProgrammeAdobe PDF (189.03 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 76/2020 - Supporting Doctors throughout the Second COVID-19 WaveAdobe PDF (174.88 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 75/2020 - Publication of a Revised Interim Clinical Commissioning Policy - Remdesivir for Patients Hospitalised with COVID-19 (Adults and Children aged 12 Years and overAdobe PDF (353.76 KB)
    • Interim Clinical Commissioning Policy: Remdesivir for patients hospitalised with COVID-19 (adults and children 12 years and older) Version 2Adobe PDF (348.66 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 74 2020 - Immediate Actions in response to Mink-Variant Sars-Cov-2 virus in DenmarkAdobe PDF (312.48 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 73/2020 - Interim Policy to Extend the Provision of Passive Immunisation against Respiratory Syncytial Virus for at Risk Preterm InfantsAdobe PDF (253.32 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 72/2020 - The Human Medicines (Coronavirus and Influenza) (Amendment) Regulations 2020: Amendments to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012Adobe PDF (482.16 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 71/2020 - Lithium Carbonate (Priadel®) 200mg And 400mg Modified Release Tablets – Updated Supply Disruption AlertAdobe PDF (903.72 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 70/2020 - COVID-19 - 'Shielding' Guidance for Children and Young People: Royal College of Paediatrics And Child Health (RCPCH)Adobe PDF (502.88 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 69/2020 - Remdesivir for patients hospitalised with Covid-19 - Supply disruption alertAdobe PDF (312 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 68/2020 - Letter to all Health and Social Care workers encouraging everyone to obtain the flu vaccineAdobe PDF (318.04 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 67/2020 - Minimising the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks in healthcare settings.Adobe PDF (197.69 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 66/2020 - Management of seasonal fluAdobe PDF (764.3 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 65/2020 - COVID-19 - Therapeutic alert update : Remdesivir for patients hospitalised with Covid-19 (Adults abd children aged 12 years and older)Adobe PDF (265.28 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 64/2020 – COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert Update: Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19Adobe PDF (614.28 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 63/2020 - National Patient Safety Alert - Steroid Emergency Card to Support Early Recognition and Treatment of Adrenal Crisis in AdultsAdobe PDF (893.41 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 62/2020 - Lithium Carbonate (Priadel®) 200mg and 400mg Modified Release Tablets – Supply Disruption AlertAdobe PDF (1.32 MB)
    • HSS (MD) 61/2020 - FOR ACTION: Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch National Learning Report - Severe Brain Injury, Early Neonatal Death and Intrapartum Stillbirth associated with Group B Streptococcus Infection - July 2020Adobe PDF (187.99 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 60/2020 - COVID 19 Research letterAdobe PDF (238.52 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 59/2020 - Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme 2020/21Adobe PDF (1.02 MB)
    • HSS (MD) 59/2020 (Addendum) - Seasonal Influenza Vaccination ProgrammeAdobe PDF (656.43 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 58/2020 - Use of Face Masks/Face Covering in all Health and Social Care Facilities - Updated as of 11 August 2020Adobe PDF (441.48 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 57/2020 - Emollients - New information about risk of severe and fatal burns with paraffin-containing and paraffin-free emollientsAdobe PDF (389.12 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 56/2020 - National Patient Safety Alert - Risk of Death from Unintended Administration of Sodium NitriteAdobe PDF (679.74 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 55/2020 - Shingles Vaccination Programme Eligibility Criteria for 2020/21Adobe PDF (320.18 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 54/2020 - Personal Protective Equipment and Heat - Risk of Heat StressAdobe PDF (238.06 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 53/2020 - Evidence of Harm from Illicit or Fake BenzodiazepinesAdobe PDF (485.93 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 52/2020 - Cannabis Oil Disguised as ConfectionaryAdobe PDF (259.31 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 51/2020 - Cannabis-based medicinal products - UpdateAdobe PDF (201.72 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 50/2020 - Early Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS)Adobe PDF (323.14 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 49/2020 - COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert Update : Remdesivir for Patients Hospitalised with COVID-19 (Adults and Children aged 12 Years and olderAdobe PDF (357.31 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 48/2020 - Phenelzine Sulphate 15mg Tablets (Nardil®) – Supply DisruptionAdobe PDF (439.77 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 47/2020 - Dexamethasone in Covid-19Adobe PDF (179.03 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 46/2020 - Re-Scheduling Of Epidyolex (Cannabis Based Medicine) and Insertion of a New Definition under the Misuse Of Drugs Regulations (NI) 2002Adobe PDF (171.71 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 45/2020 - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), As An Aerosol Generating Procedure (AGP)Adobe PDF (380.13 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 44/2020 - Regional Ethics Advice and Support FrameworkAdobe PDF (180.41 KB)
    • COVID-19 - Guidance Ethical Advice and Support FrameworkAdobe PDF (1.42 MB)
    • COVID-19 Guidance - Ethical Advice and Support Framework - Plain EnglishAdobe PDF (192.66 KB)
    • COVID-19 Guidance - Ethical Advice and Support Framework - Easy ReadAdobe PDF (3.02 MB)
    • HSS (MD) 43/2020 - Covid-19 Therapeutic alert further update: Early access to medicines scheme for Rendesivir in the treatment of Covid-19Adobe PDF (298.88 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 42/2020 - SARS-CoV2 Antibody Testing - Programme RolloutAdobe PDF (169.4 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 41/2020 - COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert Update: Early access to medicines scheme for Remdesivir in the treatment of COVID-19 - Implementation of the scheme and management of supply in Northern IrelandAdobe PDF (306.54 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 40/2020 - Danazol 100mg and 200mg Capsules – Supply Disruption AlertAdobe PDF (509 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 39/2020 - Zyban® (Bupropion Hydrochloride) 150mg Prolonged Release Tablets - Supply Disruption AlertAdobe PDF (564.18 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 38/2020 - COVID-19 Contact Tracing Strategy And Programme in Northern Ireland - ‘Test, Trace And Protect’ Adobe PDF (402.49 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 37/2020 - COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert: Early Access to Medicines Scheme for Remdesivir in the Treatment of Covid-19 – Implementation of the Scheme and Management of Supply in Northern IrelandAdobe PDF (299.03 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 36/2020 - Neuromuscular Blocking Agents: Atracurium, Cisatracurium and Rocuronium – Updated Supply Disruption AlertAdobe PDF (615.28 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 35/2020 - COVID-19 Case Definition ChangeAdobe PDF (162.55 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 34/2020 - Salazopyrin® (Sulfasalazine) 500mg Suppositories – Supply Disruption AlertAdobe PDF (545.34 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 33/2020 - Phosphate Polyfusor 500ml - Supply Disruption AlertAdobe PDF (733.31 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 32/2020 - Yellow Card Reporting Site for Healthcare Products Used in Coronavirus (COVID-19)Adobe PDF (197.27 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 31/2020 – Valproate Pregnancy Prevention Programme : Temporary Advice for Management during Covid-19 PandemicAdobe PDF (222.4 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 30/2020 - Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Temporally Associated with Covid-19Adobe PDF (198.86 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 29/2020 - Ativan® (Lorazepam) 4mgml Solution for Injection – Supply DisruptionAdobe PDF (1.19 MB)
    • CMO letter to Professor Greer, Queen's University Belfast - 24 April 2020Adobe PDF (474.18 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 28/2020 - Guidance on Death Certification during the COVID-19 PandemicAdobe PDF (433.81 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 27/2020 - Renal Replacement Therapy in Critical Care Severe Disruption to the supply of kits and fluids to perform continuous vein to vein haemofiltration including haemodiafiltration (CVVH and CVVHD)Adobe PDF (1.66 MB)
    • HSS (MD) 26/2020 - COVID-19 - PPE Guidance UpdateAdobe PDF (287.97 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 25/2020 - Neuromuscular Blocking Agents Atacurium, Cisatracurium and rocuronium - supply disruption alertAdobe PDF (667.35 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 24/2020 - Continuation of Immunisation Programmes During COVID-19 PandemicAdobe PDF (176.35 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 23/2020 - COVID-19 – Message to all Clinical Staff – Ibuprofen and Coronavirus (Covid-19)Adobe PDF (561.33 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 22/2020 - End of the 2019 2020 Flu Season and Related IssuesAdobe PDF (233.65 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 21/2020 - COVID 19 - Optimising Use of Critical Care MedicinesAdobe PDF (65.58 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 20/2020 - COVID-19 - PPE Guidance UpdateAdobe PDF (349.75 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 19/2020 - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Update to ServiceAdobe PDF (362.82 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 18/2020 - Guidance on the New Arrangements for the Completion and Issuing of Medical Certificates of Cause of Death and Stillbirth CertificatesAdobe PDF (416.14 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 17/2020 - COVID-19 - Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine not licensed for COVID-19 treatmentAdobe PDF (249.25 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 16/2020 - Diamorphine Hydrochloride Powder for reconstitution and injection 5mg and 10mg ampoules - updated supply disruption alertAdobe PDF (920.08 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 15/2020 - Novel Coronavirus - Anti-Inflammatory MedicationsAdobe PDF (172.65 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 14/2020 16 March 2020 - Novel Coronavirus: Advice for HSC in Northern IrelandAdobe PDF (162.47 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 11 2020 - Epanutin (Phenytoin) 30mg-5ml Oral Suspension - Supply Disruption AlertAdobe PDF (777.71 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 13-2020 - COVID-19 Maintaining the supply of medicines to patientsAdobe PDF (275.49 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 12/2020 - Message for Clinical Staff Encountering Patients with Respiratory Infections Arrived from OverseasAdobe PDF (358.22 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 10/2020 - Diamorphine Hydrochloride Powder for Reconstitution and Injection 5mg and 10mg Ampoules – Supply and DistributionAdobe PDF (631.04 KB)
    • HSS(MD) 9/2020 - Covid-19 Becomes a Notifiable Disease in Northern IrelandAdobe PDF (62.78 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 8/2020 25 February 2020 - Updated Advice In Relation to the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) - Includes FlowchartsAdobe PDF (413.28 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 07/2020 07 February 2020 - Updated Advice in Relation to the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) - Includes Contacts and FlowchartsAdobe PDF (644.57 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 06/2020 04 February 2020 - Cannabis Based Products for Medicinal Use – UpdateAdobe PDF (312.52 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 05/2020 31 January 2020 - Updated Advice - Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) - Includes PathwayAdobe PDF (455.26 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 04/2020 24 January 2020 - Wuhan Novel Coronavirus - Message for all Clinical Staff Encountering Patients with Respiratory Infections Arrived from OverseasAdobe PDF (457.64 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 03/2020 24 January 2020 - Change to the Infant Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) ScheduleAdobe PDF (393.48 KB)
    • HSS (MD) 02/2020 22 January 2020 - Publication of a New Regional Policy for the Administration of Intravenous Fluids to Children Aged from Birth (Term) until their 16th Birthday: Reducing the Risk of Harm due to Hyponatraemia and Competency FrameworkAdobe PDF (2.55 MB)
    • HSS (MD) 01/2020 15 January 2020 - Phenytoin Sodium NRIM 100MG Capsules (ACCORD) – Supply Disruption AlertAdobe PDF (573.33 KB)
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