Letters and urgent communications 2023
Date published:
Last updated:
Advice from the Chief Medical Officer to HSC professionals for 2023
Documents
- HSS(MD) 64 2023 - Covid-19 treatments for those at highest risk - change in reporting of positive Covid-19 rapid lateral flow test results
- HSS(MD) 63 2023 - MHRA Drug Safety Update – Aripiprazole (Abilify and generic brands) Vitamin B12 (hydroxocobalamin, cyanocobalamin)
- HSS(MD) 62 2023 - Confirmed influenza in Northern Ireland - NICE guidance on use of antivirals now applies
- HSS (MD) 61 2023 Potential for inappropriate dosing of insulin when switching insulin degludec (Tresiba®) products
- HSS(MD) 60 2023 - Addendum to HSS(MD) 60 2023 - National Patient Safety Alert – potential contamination of some Carbomer-containing lubricating eye products with Burkholderia Cenocepacia – measures to reduce patient risk
- HSS (MD) 60 2023 Potential contamination of some carbomer-containing lubricating eye products with Burkholderia cenocepacia – measures to reduce patient risk
- HSS(MD) 59/2023 - National patient safety alert - Valproate: Organisations to prepare for new regulatory measures for oversight of prescribing to new patients and existing female patients
- HSS(MD) 58/2023 - Influenza vaccination for high-risk avian animal workers
- HSS(MD) 57 2023 - MHRA Drug Safety Update Ozempic (semaglutide) & Saxenda (liraglutide) falsified products, Nirmatrelvir ritonavir (Paxlovid) Drug interactions, E-cigarette use and vaping safety concerns
- HSS(MD) 56 2023 - Northern Ireland Action Plan to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2019-2024
- HSS(MD) 55/2023 - MHRA Drug safety update- isotretinoin (roaccutane): introduction of new safety measures, including additional oversight of the initiation of treatment for patients under 18 years of age - Addendum
- HSS(MD) 55/2023 - MHRA Drug safety update- isotretinoin (roaccutane): introduction of new safety measures, including additional oversight of the initiation of treatment for patients under 18 years of age
- HSS MD 54 2023 - MHRA Drug Safety Update - VALPROATE - Dispense Full Packs of VALPROATE-Containing Medicines, and MEDSAFETYWEEK November 2023 - Your Yellow Card Report Helps to Improve Patient Safety
- HSS(MD) 53 2023 - Letter from Prof Sir Michael McBride and Maria McIlgorm - Prevention of Future Death Report
- HSS(MD) 52 2023 - Consent for hospital post-mortem examination HSC regional policy and associated consent for hospital post-mortem forms and information booklets
- Addendum to HSS(MD) 51/2023 - Full Pack Dispensing of Valproate-Containing Medicines
- HSS(MD) 51/2023 - Full pack dispensing of valporate-containing medicines
- HSS(MD) 50/2023 - National Patient Safety Alert – Shortage of verteporfin 15mg powder for solution for injection
- HSS(MD) 49/2023 - MHRA drug safety update - Statins: very infrequent reports of myasthenia gravis, and fluoroquinolone antibiotics: suicidal thoughts and behaviour
- HSS(MD) 48/2023 - National patient safety alert – shortage of methylphenidate prolonged-release capsules and tablets, lisdexamfetamine capsules, and guanfacine prolonged-release tablets
- HSS(MD) 47/2023 - The 2023/24 seasonal influenza and covid-19 vaccination programmes for health and social care workers
- HSS(MD)46/2023 Covid-19 Autumnwinter Booster Vaccination Programme 2023
- MHRA Drug Safety Update – Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics: Reminder of the Risk of Disabling and Potentially Long-Lasting or Irreversible Side Effects, and Methotrexate: Advise Patients to take Precautions in the Sun to Avoid Photosensitivity Reactions
- HSS(MD) 44 2023 MHRA Drug Safety Update Valproate - Re Analysis of Study on Risks in Children of Men Taking Valproate
- HSS(MD) 43/2023 - Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme 2023/24
- HSS(MD) 38/2023 - National Patient Safety Alert – Shortage of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists - Addendum
- HSS(MD)42/2023 - Shingles Vaccination Programme Introduction of Shingrix® Vaccine into the Routine Programme and Changes to Eligible Cohorts
- HSS(MD) 41 2023 - SaBTO recommendation to extend the fair III recommendations to tissues and cells
- HSS(MD) 40/2023 - World patient safety day 17 September 2023
- HSS(MD) 39/2023 - MHRA Drug Safety Update- July 2023
- HSS(MD) 38/2023 - National Patient Safety Alert – Shortage of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
- HSS(MD)37/2023 - JCVI Advice Regarding Covid-19 Vaccination of Children Aged 6 Months to 4 Years in a Clinical at Risk Group
- HSS(MD) 36/2023 - Getinge Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) Catheters (FSCA 2249723-05/05/23-008-C)
- HSS(MD) 35 2023 - MHRA drug safety update and national patient safety alert- calcium chloride, calcium gluconate - potential risk of underdosing with calcium gluconate in severe hyperkalaemia
- HSS(MD) 34/2023 - MHRA Drug Safety Update: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS): Potential Risks Following Prolonged use After 20 Weeks of Pregnancy
- HSS(MD) 33/2023 - MHRA Drug Safety Update: Adrenaline Auto-Injectors (AAIS): New Guidance and Resources for Safe Use
- HSS(MD) 32/2023 - Covid-19 Treatments: Amended Independent Advisory Group Report of Highest Risk Groups
- HSS(MD) 31/2023 - Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) paediatric formulations; reminder of dose adjustments in patients with renal impairment
- HSS(MD) 30/2023 - Glucose solutions- recommendations to minimise the risks associated with the accidental use of glucose solutions instead of saline solutions in arterial lines
- HSS(MD) 29/2023 - Febuxostat- updated advice for the treatment of patients with a history of major cardiovascular disease
- HSS(MD)28/2023 - Covid-19 Vaccinations over the Summer of 2023
- HSS(MD) 27 2023 - National Patient Safety Alert – Shortage of Pyridostigmine 60mg Tablets
- HSS(MD) 26/2023 - Summary - Essure Contraceptive Devices
- HSS(MD) 25/2023 - Nitrofurantoin - Reminder of the risks of Pulmonary and Hepatic adverse drug reactions
- HSS(MD) 24/2023 Janus kinase (jak) inhibitors - new measures to reduce risks of major cardiovascular events, malignancy, venous thromboembolism, serious infections and increased mortality
- HSS(MD) 23/2023 - End of the 2022/23 flu season and related issues
- HSS(MD) 22/2023 - NCEPOD Report disordered activity a review of the quality of epilepsy care provided to adult patients presenting to hospital with a seizure
- HSS(MD) 21/2023 - Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) new safety measures to be introduced in the coming months, including additional oversight on initiation of treatment for patients under 18 years
- HSS(MD) 20/2023 - Covid-19 Treatments: Updated Independent Advisory Group Report of Highest Risk Groups
- HSS(MD) 19 2023 Covid-19 Therapeutic Alert Publication of the Nice Multiple Technology Appraisal (MTA) – Treatment Recommendations for Covid -19
- HSS (MD) 18/2023 - Updated Covid-19 testing guidance to support clinical pathways
- HSS(MD) 17/2023 - UK Strategy for mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) control
- HSS (MD) 16/2023 - Changes to the HPV Vaccination Schedule - Reduction to one dose
- HSS(MD) 15/2023 - JCVI advice on 2023 Covid-19 Spring booster programme and significant changes to the primary course offer
- HSS(MD) 14/2023 - Pholcodine: Drug Safety Update- Pholcodine-Containing Cough and Cold Medicines: Withdrawal from UK Market as a Precautionary Measure
- HSS(MD)13/2023 - Guidance on the Revised Arrangements for the Cremation Process
- HSS(MD) 11/2023 – Standards for the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme
- HSS(MD) 10/2023 – Standards for the Breast Cancer Screening Programme
- HSS(MD) 09/2023 – Standards for the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme
- HSS(MD) 08/2023 – Standards for the Newborn Blood Spot Screening Programme
- HSS(MD) 07/2023 – Standards for the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme
- HSS(MD) 6 2023 Palivizumab Passive Immunisation Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in at-risk pre-term Infants
- HSS (MD) 5 2023 - JCVI Advice on 2023 Covid-19 Vaccination Programme
- HSS MD 4 2023 - Prescribing of Unlicensed or Off-Label Medicines for the Management of Covid-19 or Post-Covid-19 Syndrome
- HSS MD 3 2023 Supply of Licensed and Unlicensed Epidural Bags – National Patient Safety Alert
- HSS(MD) 2/2023 - Changes to the HPV vaccination schedule
- HSS(MD) 1/2023 - MBRRACE-UK perinatal mortality reports