The Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) is an NHS service that allows patients to be referred to a community pharmacy for minor illnesses or urgent medication needs, instead of being directed to a GP or other urgent care service. The goal is to reduce pressure on emergency care and GP services.
How the Service Works
A patient contacts NHS 111 with a minor illness or a request for an urgent supply of medication.
An NHS 111 call advisor assesses the patient's needs.
Instead of booking a GP appointment, the advisor refers the patient to an accredited community pharmacy.
The pharmacist conducts a consultation to assess the patient's condition and provides advice, treatment, or an urgent supply of medication.
If necessary, the pharmacist can refer the patient to another healthcare professional, such as a GP or A&E.
What Pharmacists Need to Know
To provide the CPCS, pharmacists must have the necessary skills to assess and treat minor health conditions. This includes the ability to:
Communicate effectively with patients and explain the service.
Assess clinical needs and identify "red flags" (symptoms of more serious conditions).
Make appropriate referrals to other healthcare professionals when needed.
Understand the Human Medicines Regulations for supplying Prescription Only Medicines (POMs) in an emergency.
What Pharmacists Need to Do
All pharmacists in England working for a pharmacy that provides the CPCS must complete specific training and gain access to the Summary Care Record (SCR).
Complete Training: You must complete the CPPE Summary Care Records 2019 training and assessment online.
Apply for SCR Access: After completing the training, you must apply for access to the SCR, which contains a patient's key medical information, such as medications and allergies. This allows you to make more informed decisions during a CPCS consultation.
Locum pharmacists must be familiar with the CPCS and the relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for each pharmacy where they work.