Pharmacy First

Data from SNEE ICS from mid-February 2024 shows a marked increase in the number of referrals from some GP practices in the first two weeks of Pharmacy First compared to the average of the previous two weeks.

Referrals come into pharmacies via NHS premises email accounts, so please make sure that you have a robust process in your pharmacy for checking this regularly.

Please note the ‘Referral to the Community Pharmacy’ section on page 7  of the Community Pharmacy advanced service specification: NHS Pharmacy First Service.

Please be aware that the Arden’s template used by GPs, does not indicate in the email subject line Pharmacy First Minor Ailment referral it says Community Pharmacy Scheme, so you may miss the referral. This issue has been raised by the LPC and advised that no alteration to the tile can be made.

You may wish to set up forwarding emails from the shared NHS Mailbox to your personal NHS email, and a guide on this is available HERE.

In order to complete a referral, you will need to transfer the information from the NHS email to the PharmOutcomes Pharmacy First registration template. 

Details on referrals received by NHS Mail is at 11:16 in on the PharmOutcomes Pharmacy First training video.

Should you need to refer back to the GP Practice:

• The bypass number for referrals back to the GP Practice: can be found here servicefinder.nhs.uk non-public telephone number (NB This number is confidential and is for advanced service referrals back to the practice only – not general prescription queries etc.)

For any other issues please email the non-public email which can also be found on the same page.

To support the local implementation of Pharmacy First, the Norfolk and Suffolk teams will be hosting a series of drop-in sessions, to answer your questions, and discuss progress with the Pharmacy First service.

We plan to run these drop-in sessions weekly from 1-2pm for 3 weeks on:

Thursday 22nd February

Thursday 29th February

Thursday 7th March

Click here to join on any of the dates above at 1pm.

NHS Suffolk & North-East Essex ICB’s have arranged for local training to support  the rollout of the Pharmacy First service.

This will include ear, nose and throat clinical skills workshops, including otoscope training etc.

MORNING SESSION IS FULLY BOOKED

Date & Time: Sunday 11 February 2024 at 9.30am-12.45pm

Venue: University of Suffolk, Waterfront Building, 19 Neptune Quay, Ipswich, IP4 1QJ, Ground floor, Room WLT1

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AFTERNOON SESSION IS FULLY BOOKED

Date: Sunday 11 February 2024

Venue: University of Suffolk, Waterfront Building, 19 Neptune Quay, Ipswich, IP4 1QJ, Ground floor, Room WLT1

Time: 1.45pm-5.00pm

Keycode for booking: ENTS11P

Booking reference: 59377

Booking process

Visit the Book a workshop (cppe.ac.uk) page on the CPPE website – Pharmacy First Ear, Nose and Throat clinical assessment skills workshop.

Click on the Choose event button and there will be a list of all events taking place across the country.

Scroll down to find the University of Suffolk events and select the afternoon workshop.

Type in the relevant key code for the selected session. These codes are specific for the University of Suffolk event and they cannot be used to book any other event.

You will need to bring along your own otoscope to use during the workshop – this is important to ensure that you have adequate time available to practice examination skills and become familiar with your own equipment. The Pharmacy First service specification contains information about the required features for purchasing equipment.

At least 4 weeks before the event the lead tutor will email participants registered for the workshop with pre-work and further details of the event. Participants can also access the learning materials at the time of booking from their pending bookings on the CPPE website.

Initial booking and workshop details for the event can be found HERE.

Any queries please contact info@suffolklpc.org.uk.

The new Advanced service involves pharmacists providing advice and NHS-funded treatment, where clinically appropriate, for seven common conditions:

• sinusitis
• sore throat
• acute otitis media
• infected insect bite
• impetigo
• shingles
• uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.

Consultations can be provided to patients presenting to the pharmacy as well as those referred by NHS 111, general practices and others.

The service will also incorporate the existing elements of the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service, i.e. minor illness consultations with a pharmacist and the supply of urgent medicines (and appliances), both following a referral from NHS 111, general practices and other authorised healthcare providers.

In the consultations with a pharmacist, people with symptoms suggestive of the seven conditions will be provided with advice and will be supplied, where clinically necessary, with a prescription-only treatment under a Patient Group Direction (PGD) or in one pathway, an over-the-counter medicine, all at NHS expense.

In the future, we hope that independent prescribers will be able to use their skills to complete episodes of care within the service, without the need for a PGD.

Please see the CPE Pharmacy First service page for more details.

Pharmacy owners:

• Read the service spec and the information on the CPE website and decide if you want to sign up to the service. Use the CPE Pharmacy Owner checklist.
• Complete the sign-up form on MYS. You must sign up before 30^th January 2024 to receive the £2000 incentive payment.
• Develop an SOP, this must include escalation processes for any issues identified. Pharmacies will also need to have available signposting details, process for changing the DoS profile and contact details for local commissioners and urgent care providers.
• Let local surgeries know you will be providing the service. You could use this CPE briefing. Ask for ‘back-door’ numbers or emails for referring patients that may need an appointment
• Order otoscope(s) Every pharmacy will need one to deliver the service unless you are a DSP.
• Select an NHS approved IT system, once details are announced
• Ensure your pharmacists are completing any training required to be competent to deliver the service. Make sure you have informed your locums that you will be offering the service.
• Make sure all pharmacists have signed the final versions of the PGDs
• Brief the whole pharmacy team.
• Watch the recording of the CPE webinar – Getting to know the service
• The ‘Preparing for service launch’ webinar on 15^th January is now full, but if you haven’t already registered you will be able to watch the recorded version.

Pharmacists:

• Read the service spec, clinical pathways, and information on CPE website. Use the CPE pharmacist checklist.
• Review the CPPE pharmacy first self-assessment and complete any necessary training.
• If you need otoscope training register to attend one of our local events
• Consider completing the free clini skills training including an otoscope webinar on 18^th January
• Read and sign the final versions of the PGDs
• Be familiar with the IT system that will be used in the pharmacies where you work. Before your first shift in a pharmacy check that logs in will be available for you.
• Be aware of the escalation and signposting details for each pharmacy. They may be different in each area.
• Watch the recording of the CPE webinar – Getting to know the service
• The ‘Preparing for service launch’ webinar on 15^th January is now full, but if you haven’t already registered you will be able to watch the recorded version.

Pharmacy team:

• Be familiar with the service spec and read the CPE briefing for teams.
• Know the log in for your IT system and be familiar with how it works to support any locums working in the pharmacy.
• Make sure you know the local escalation and signposting details
• Let local surgeries know you will be providing the service. You could use this CPE briefing Ask for ‘back-door’ numbers or emails for referring patients that may need an appointment
• Know how to update your DoS profile and to contact the local GP practices in the event of an unplanned closure.
• Be aware of the clinical pathways and refer any potentially eligible patients to the pharmacist
• Watch the recording of the CPE webinar – Getting to know the service
• The ‘Preparing for service launch’ webinar on 15^th January is now full, but if you haven’t already registered you will be able to watch the recorded version.