Pharmacy First Service
- The Pharmacy First service will launch on 31st January 2024 (subject to IT systems being in place).
- The service involves providing consultations to give advice and NHS-funded treatment (via Patient Group Directions), where appropriate, for seven common conditions (clinical pathways consultations). The consultations can be provided to patients who self-refer to the pharmacy (e.g. walk-ins) as well as those referred by NHS 111, GPs and others.
- The seven conditions are: sinusitis, sore throat, acute otitis media, infected insect bite, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.
- Distance Selling Pharmacies (DSPs) will be able to provide six of the seven Pharmacy First clinical pathways remotely via video consultations but may not provide clinical pathways consultations on their premises (due to links with the support for self-care Essential service and restrictions regarding the provision of Essential services on the pharmacy premises). The acute otitis media clinical pathway requires the use of an otoscope, so that pathway will not be provided by DSPs.
- The Pharmacy First service will also incorporate the existing Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS). Pharmacies will be paid £15 per consultation.
- An initial fixed payment of £2,000 will be available to claim from December up to the launch of the Pharmacy First service, which will be reclaimed if pharmacy owners do not provide five clinical pathways consultations by the end of March 2024.
- From February 2024, in addition to the £15 consultation fee, a monthly fixed payment of £1,000 will be paid to pharmacy owners who meet a minimum activity threshold of clinical pathways consultations (the threshold will increase over time as set out below).
To view the PharmOutcomes Training video for The Pharmacy First Service click here.
Please find more information here.
To view the slides from the CPSS Pharmacy First Webinar held 24/01/24 click here.
Pharmacy First resources for GP Practice
These resources have been created to support GP practices to implement and embed the Pharmacy First service
- Pharmacy First training video
- Pharmacy First training Presentation PDF
- GP Pharmacy First Common Surgery Questions
- GP Who can I Refer into Pharmacy First
- GP Pharmacy First Common Patient Questions
- GP Connect in TPP SystmOne
- GP Connect in EMIS
- Pharmacy First Ardens SystmOne
- Pharmacy First Referral Guide for General Practice
- GP practices MFA (multifactor authentication) FAQ
- Technical information for MFA
If you wish to learn more about how to set up Pharmacy First on SystmOne and how to deal with the incoming tasks and patient record, please refer to the TPP Pharmacy First Resource that is published on their website and click on the supporting video.
| Systmone | EMIS |
| * Normally accessed via PharmRefer platform | * Normally accessed from Local Services Button |
| * Referral sent directly to the patients pharmacy of choice via PharmRefer | * Referral sent directly to the patients pharmacy of choice from EMIS |
| Any issues using PharmRefer please contact Pinnacle helpdesk@phpartnership.com or 0345 450 6279 | Any issues using Local Services please use EMIS Now or call 0330 024 1270 |
Surrey Heartlands Pharmacy First videos
There is now available a Pharmacy First peer-to-peer explainer video, which features Dr Amy Blakemore (GP Partner), Ness Shahidi-Giles (Clinical Pharmacist), and Rebeka Waite (Patient Services Advisor) answering FAQs on Pharmacy First.
The video was filmed with the team at Cranleigh Medical Practice and is designed to be comprehensive. While it runs 6 minutes and 38 seconds, it’s structured into clear sections using question visuals, so it’s easy to follow.
You can watch it here: Pharmacy First Explainer Video.
In addition, a local pharmacist’s 60-second video urges Surrey residents to ‘Think Pharmacy First’
In this one minute video Jay Amin, from Woodbridge Pharmacy in Surrey, explains why it’s a great idea to ‘Think Pharmacy First’ when you’re feeling unwell.
In another short video, Surrey resident, Melissa, shares how a sore throat led her to ‘Think Pharmacy First’ – and why she’ll do the same again in the future.
These videos can be used across the area.
Otoscope FAQ’s
Q. How should I dispose of otoscope and ear thermometer covers and tongue depressors following use in the examination of a patient?
Within the Health Technical Memorandum 07-01: Safe and sustainable management of healthcare waste such single use items are classified as offensive waste – see page 81 of the document (2022 version). This is not clinical waste, but may contain body fluids, secretions or excretions and it needs to be disposed of in yellow and black-striped ‘tiger’ bags.
Q. Can I dispose of offensive waste, such as otoscope covers and tongue depressors, in a clinical waste bin?
The Health Technical Memorandum 07-01: Safe and sustainable management of healthcare waste advises before disposing of an item in the infectious waste stream [clinical waste], consider whether the item is hazardous, or in fact just unpleasant. The over-classification of offensive waste as infectious waste can lead to more expensive waste management handling and treatment of such wastes. If there is no good reason to believe the item is hazardous – i.e. infectious, chemically / pharmaceutically / cytotoxically contaminated or radioactive – do not dispose of it to a yellow, orange or purple [clinical waste] bin/bag or other container for hazardous waste – see pages 81-82 of the document (2022 version).
Q. How do I dispose of offensive waste bags/containers?
Seek advice on this from your waste disposal contractor. The Health Technical Memorandum 07-01: Safe and sustainable management of healthcare waste provides guidance on waste disposal processes to be used by waste contractors (pages 82-93, 2022 version).
- Information for referring patients back into NHS 111 for Pharmacy First referrals can be obtained by emailing lpc@communitypharmacyss.co.uk.
Pharmacy First GP referrals in Surrey and Sussex
To support the continued development of the Pharmacy First service we are engaging with our pharmacies, GP practices and ICB colleagues to support the local referral pathways and increase referrals from general practice.
Surrey Heartlands ICS
Surrey Heartlands is using the EMIS integrated Local services and PharmRefer for non-EMIS practices. This greatly enhances the referral process for GP practice staff and fully integrates with the Community Pharmacy PharmOutcomes system. GP Pharmacy First referrals will be received at the pharmacy by the same route as NHS 111 referrals are. The Pathway for A&E referrals is in the planning phase.
Frimley ICS
Frimley is using the EMIS integrated Patient Access CPCS module and PharmRefer for non-EMIS practices. This greatly enhances the referral process for GP practice staff and fully integrates with the Community Pharmacy PharmOutcomes system. GP referrals will be received at the pharmacy by the same route as NHS 111 referrals are. The Pathway for A&E referrals is in the planning phase.
Sussex ICS
Sussex is using the EMIS integrated Patient Access CPCS module and PharmRefer for non-EMIS practices. This greatly enhances the referral process for GP practice staff and fully integrates with the Community Pharmacy PharmOutcomes system. GP referrals will be received at the pharmacy by the same route as NHS 111 referrals are. The Pathway for A&E referrals is in the planning phase.
To view the PharmOutcomes Training video for The Pharmacy First Service click here.
Please find more information here.
To view the slides from the CPSS Pharmacy First Webinar held 24/01/24 click here.
CPE have released various resources to help pharmacies promote the Pharmacy First service.
Download posters, social media tiles, videos, and more.
Further information and support
Have you checked out CPE’s Pharmacy First FAQs?
Read CPE’s recent comment on concerns over the implementation of Pharmacy First
