The Pharmacy First Service is a new NHS initiative that allows pharmacists in England to provide advice and treatment for seven common minor illnesses directly from the pharmacy, without the patient needing a GP appointment. The service's goal is to reduce pressure on GP and emergency services by giving patients quicker access to care.
Since its launch on January 31, 2024, the service has empowered pharmacists to offer consultations and, where clinically appropriate, supply over-the-counter and prescription-only medicines for the following conditions:
Sinusitis
Sore throat
Acute otitis media (earache)
Infected insect bites
Impetigo
Shingles
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women
What Pharmacists Need to Do
While there is no mandatory training required, you must be prepared to deliver the service safely and effectively. Locum pharmacists, in particular, should take the following actions:
Read and Understand the Guidelines: Familiarise yourself with the official service specification, clinical pathways, and Patient Group Directions (PGDs) from the NHS. You must read and sign up to the PGDs before providing the service.
Self-Assess Your Knowledge: Complete the self-assessment framework from the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE). This is a valuable tool to identify any gaps in your knowledge related to the seven common conditions.
Complete a Pharmacy's Specific Requirements: Some pharmacy companies have their own internal compliance processes for Pharmacy First.
Boots and Asda, for example, require locums to read and sign a specific declaration before they can deliver the service. Details on how to access and sign these are often provided on your platform's company profile pages.
Stay Up-to-Date: The service is part of a larger NHS plan to expand the role of pharmacies. It is your responsibility to stay current with any updates, changes, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the pharmacies you work with.
Recommended Training Resources
Although formal training is not required, there are many resources available to help you prepare and improve your knowledge:
CPPE Self-Assessment Framework: A key resource for checking your knowledge of the clinical pathways.
e-Learning: Consider professional development courses. For example, ECG Training provides a Pharmacy First e-learning course.
NHS-Funded Training: The NHS offers fully funded, flexible training opportunities for pharmacy teams to enhance their clinical skills, including courses in Clinical Examination Skills and Independent Prescribing. You can find more information about these on the NHS website.