NHS Pharmacy First Service
NHS Pharmacy's First advanced service
The new Pharmacy First Service will enable community pharmacists to complete episodes of care for patients without the need for the patient to visit their general practice. This, alongside expansions to the pharmacy blood pressure checking and contraception services, will save up to 10 million general practice team appointments a year and help patients access quicker and more convenient care, including the supply of appropriate medicines for minor illness.
The Pharmacy First Service builds on the previous Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) by enabling community pharmacies to manage patients for seven common conditions, following specific clinical pathways.
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The seven conditions are:
| Common Conditions | Age range |
|---|
| Ear Infections (Acute Otitis Media) |
1 to 17 years |
| Impetigo |
1 year and over |
| Infected insect bites |
1 year and over |
| Shingles |
18 years and over |
| Sinusitis |
12 years and over |
| Sore throat |
5 years and over |
| Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) |
Women Only 16-64 years |
The Pharmacy First service allows patients to receive treatment for 7 common conditions directly from their local community pharmacy, without the need to first visit their.
The 7 common conditions, with specific eligibility criteria for each condition, are:
1. Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) in women
- Inclusion criteria: 16–64 years old
- Exclusion criteria: Pregnancy, recurrent infection (twice in 6 months or three times in 12 months)
2. Shingles
- Inclusion criteria: 18+ years old
- Exclusion criteria: Pregnancy, urinary catheter
3. Impetigo
- Inclusion criteria: 1+ years old
- Exclusion criteria: Pregnancy, bullous impetigo, recurrent infection (twice or more in 12 months)
4. Infected insect bites
- Inclusion criteria: 1+ years old
- Exclusion criteria: Pregnancy under 16
5. Acute sore throat
- Inclusion criteria: 5+ years old
- Exclusion criteria: Pregnancy under 16
6. Acute sinusitis
- Inclusion criteria: 12+ years old
- Exclusion criteria: Pregnancy under 16, chronic sinusitis (symptoms > 12 weeks), recurrent infection (three times in 6 months or four times in 12 months)
7. Acute Otitis Media
- Inclusion criteria: 1-17 years old
- Exclusion criteria: Pregnancy under 16, immunosuppressed
The service works as follows:
- Patients can walk into a participating pharmacy and request a consultation for one of the above 7 eligible conditions. The pharmacist will assess the patient, provide self-care advice, and if appropriate, supply a limited set of prescription-only medications without the need for a GP appointment.
- Over 90% of eligible patients are able to receive the care they need entirely within the pharmacy, without requiring further referral.
- Lockwood Pharmacy has a private consultation room and pharmacists are trained to manage minor illnesses, so they are well-equipped to provide this service.
- After the consultation, the pharmacy will notify the patient's GP about the treatment provided.
- The service aims to provide faster, more convenient access to care for patients, while also freeing up an estimated 10 million GP appointments per year.
- Overall, the Pharmacy First service allows patients to get the treatment they need for common conditions directly from their local pharmacy, without the delay and inconvenience of having to first see their GP.
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