Alliance Healthcare ‘Returns’ to become Mandatory on the Portal

Alliance Healthcare continues to help our customers self-serve by driving forward adoption of our digital processes via the myahportal (Alliance Healthcare Portal)  and phasing out the paper return notes process entirely.  From Monday 14 September customers should only be processing returns claims through ‘Returns' via the myahportal.

The portal provides customers with a simplified approach to access multiple Alliance Healthcare systems and order products online, including surgical orders from NWOS and other functionalities.   

As part of our digital evolution of using ‘Returns' online, customers will see the following benefits:

- Saves time – automatically completes sections of the returns note for you e.g. name and address details, along with product searches

- Visibility of returns claims online – for ease of reference

- Efficient process - No need to call Customer Service, authorisation to return specialist handling products* can be completed on line. (*a few exceptions apply)

- One claim for all - no need to separate out product types when submitting claims

- Guidance on specific product returns  -  clearly explains what to do if you have faulty items, quality issues and recalls

- Removes confusion – clear information on our terms & conditions for returning products

- Access from anywhere – you just need to be online
 

Over 13,000 customers have now registered with myahportal. Marta from Ashtons Hospital Pharmacy, Brighton said: "It is very easy to fill all the necessary fields and the reference return number given at the end keeps my files in order. I am very pleased that Alliance Healthcare keeps trying to improve their ways of working and that they are listening to their Customer's feedback."

The portal is accessible at www.myahportal.co.uk and customers can self-register in just a few minutes.

To support customers during the registration and in using the portal, a ChatBot system has been enabled that offers instant question and answer support for the user. Online support is also available via email at: customerportal@alliance-healthcare.co.uk, and a helpline on 0330 100 0448 - option 8, for any technical support and assistance.

The old paper ‘Returns' system will close from 13 September.

Julian Mount, Managing Director takes part in Covid-19 roundtable discussion with Pharmacy Business

Julian Mount, Managing Director at Alliance Healthcare in the UK, Sutton contractor Reena Barai, and chief executive of PCT Healthcare Peter Cattee took in the second Pharmacy Business virtual roundtable.

The coronavirus pandemic will lead community pharmacy into becoming the healthcare hub of the future, a leading pharmaceutical professional has said.

Managing Director of Alliance Healthcare UK Julian Mount believes in a post-Covid world more remote interactions from doctors and hospitals will be the order of the day, making community pharmacy the first in line for face-to-face healthcare advice.

Julian Mount shares his view on the challenges community pharmacy has faced during the Covid-19 pandemic

"If there is a positive experience with Covid-19, it's the positivity there is now around having that healthcare hub within the community," he said at Pharmacy Business' second virtual roundtable entitled ‘Reimagining community pharmacy in a post-Covid world'.

The roundtable delved into the future of pharmacy from the perspectives of a pharmacy wholesaler, an independent contractor and an owner of a chain of community pharmacies. It explored how a hugely positive public perception, renewed national recognition and changed attitude from the powers that be could reinvigorate community pharmacy as well as how the sector needed to adapt in the rapidly changing world of technology.

The three-member panel, which also included chief executive of PCT Healthcare Peter Cattee and Sutton contractor Reena Barai, felt that community pharmacy should build on the positivity it now has but the onus of continuing that momentum would be on the national pharmacy bodies.

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Alliance Healthcare Reduces its Use of Single-Use Plastic Bags and Cardboard Boxes

Alliance Healthcare has started to roll out new reusable tote bins to replace plastic bags and cardboard packaging to its Health and Beauty customers.

Every year, over 2 million units of single-use plastic bags and cardboard boxes will be removed from its operations, considerably lessening Alliance Healthcare's carbon footprint.

The new reusable tote bins will be available in two sizes to consolidate customer orders and reduce the number of packages in circulation, minimising product damage and supporting Alliance Healthcare's commitment to reduce its impact on the environment.

Jon Cornforth, Environment, Health and Safety Manager, says: "Reducing plastic waste has globally become an important issue over the last couple of years and we have a responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment. By replacing plastic bags and cardboard packaging with our reusable totes we can reduce waste and move away from our reliance on plastic in our operations."

The totes are white with black lids and feature the Alliance Healthcare branding as well as a new Health and Beauty icon.

Alliance Healthcare site in Letchworth celebrates 30 years of delivering medicines

Employees have marked 30 years of Letchworth Service Centre, with a special birthday celebration.

The site was officially opened in 1990 by Kenneth Clarke, Secretary of State for Health at the time, who welcomed colleagues that had moved to the new site from Willesdon in north west London.

Over 430 colleagues in the local area are employed at the site and 46 have over 20 years' service.

Brian Smith is the longest serving employee at Letchworth and the second longest serving at Alliance Healthcare. He says: "I moved across from Willesdon to Letchworth when it first opened in 1990. I like working here, I've been well looked and I like the people. I'm proud that I've been part of the team for nearly 48 years and been able to support the NHS, particularly during Covid-19."

At 85,000 square feet, Letchworth is one of the biggest service centres in the Alliance Healthcare network, delivering on average 200,000 medicines on a twice daily* basis to over 3,200 pharmacies, hospitals and GP surgeries across East Anglia, north London and as far west as Oxford. At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic over 343,000 units were being despatched.

David Fussey, Service Centre Manager, says: "I feel immensely proud to be able to celebrate 30 years of Letchworth. I've never worked for a business where I have been able to celebrate such an important milestone. The team is very dedicated and always puts the customer first."

*Two deliveries every week day and one on Saturdays as agreed with the customer

Skills in Healthcare awarded Investors in People Platinum standard

Skills in Healthcare, the contract sales arm of Alliance Healthcare, has achieved the Investors in People Platinum Standard.

The internationally recognised accreditation is the sign of a great employer and an outperforming place to work. The IIP Platinum accreditation is the highest accolade that can be achieved against the Investors in People Standard and is currently held by only 1% of IIP accredited organisations. The Standard is underpinned by a rigorous assessment methodology and framework where the assessor explored the processes and systems.In order to secure the accreditation, evidence was gathered and assessed via employee and candidate interviews carried out by the Investors in People assessor.

Paul Fowler, Head of Skills in Healthcare, said:"I am really proud of my team in achieving this external recognition. In 2016 we achieved a Gold standard so to go one better and reach Platinum this time is a great way to demonstrate to our clients just how great all our Skills in Healthcare people are."

Comments from Investors in People:

• They are an example of an organisation that has delivered continued business growth since Skills in Healthcare's inception in 2011.
• The team truly embraced the principles of IiP and strived to provide effective people management and development in order to achieve high levels of engagement across all its teams.
• Impressed with the style of leadership (at all levels) that encourages and supports effective collaboration, an inclusive approach.
• A real sense of a ‘family feel' amongst the wider Skills in Healthcare team – made even more remarkable by the fact that a large proportion of people are ‘field based' and therefore work remotely on a day-to-day basis.
• There was also an overwhelming sense of genuine pride, engagement and commitment from the staff – people enjoy working for the organisation and clearly want it to be a success

Alliance Healthcare Your Docs Has a New Home

Alliance Healthcare has developed its latest functionality – ‘Your Docs', on the Alliance Healthcare Portal, a system that provides customers with a simplified approach to access multiple Alliance Healthcare systems and order products online, including surgical orders from NWOS.

As part of its digital evolution, Alliance Healthcare has moved the old ‘Your Docs' system to the new Alliance Healthcare Portal, with the following customer benefits:

• Convenient – 24/7 access to your statements, invoices and credit notes from the past 6 months
• User friendly – we've simplified the searching tool
• Paper-free – reduce clutter by storing your statements on your computer as a PDF"
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Over 11,000 customers have now registered for the portal. Kate from Cooper's Pharmacy, Belfast said: "It is extremely easy to use. I can check quickly if something is in stock. It also allows me to place and track NWOS orders as well. We just can't imagine now not using it!"

The portal is accessible at www.myahportal.co.ukand customers can self-register in just 15 minutes.

To support customers during the registration and in using the Portal, a ChatBot system has been enabled that offers instant question and answer support for the user. Online support is also available via email at: customerportal@alliance-healthcare.co.uk, and a helpline on 0330 100 0448 - option 8, for any technical support and assistance.

The old Your Docs system has now closed.

Silent Heroes – supporting healthcare delivery (video)

Across the healthcare industry we are all working tirelessly to help support the NHS and patients across the UK. As a leading pharmaceutical wholesaler, we recognise and embrace our role in providing front line support to you and your patients during the current COVID-19 global pandemic.

We've produced a short video of our wonderful employees who are the silent heroes doing all they can to support UK healthcare delivery

Watch the video here