New resource launched (August 2021): Myth-busting – GP referrals to the NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) (England)

From 1 November 2020, GPs are able to refer patients into the CPCS Advanced Service for minor illness consultations. This resource aims to address some of the common myths surrounding the GP referral pathway to CPCS. This will help to improve understanding of this service including the benefits to patients and general practices.

Read details on GP CPCS referrals for minor illness here.

Access the resources here.

CPCS: Avoid missing out on an opportunity to improve your pharmacy income

CPCS Advanced Service, which replaces the NUMSAS and DMIRS pilots, will connect patients with community pharmacy who have minor ailments or need an urgent supply of a medicine. Each completed consultation is worth £14 to the pharmacy. Failure to register could mean a potential missed opportunity for income to the contractor.

If you haven’t already, we urge you to:

1. Register for the Manage Your Service (MYS) portal as non-registration will seriously affect claiming money for this month
2. Register to receive the Aspiration Payment as this will support your cash flow. Your claim needs to be made by the end of October and it will be received at the end of November. (Claims for referrals received from 29-31 October will need to be incorporated into the November 2019 submission claim.) Please note: you will need to complete your MYS registration first in order to receive the Aspiration Payment.

General advice: 

The NPA urges independent community pharmacies to engage with the service, whilst recognising the many challenges they already face and the pressures on their time. We want pharmacies to be better integrated with other health services and recognised as the front door to health care in every neighbourhood; the CPCS fits with that vision.

Watch this short message from NPA Board Member Nick Kaye on why he has registered for the service:

Next steps:

Wider advice and implementation guidance

NHS CPCS – getting ready to provide the service:

• Pharmacy Teams:
  All pharmacy team members involved in provision of the service must be appropriately trained on the operation of the service. Consider:
  • holding a briefing session for your team
  • providing them with the one-page CPCS Service Overview on how the service will work (Appendix A of the NHS CPCS toolkit)
  • discussing as a team how you can work together to make the service a success
  • making sure team members and locums are clear on the daily activity required, such as checking for referrals
  • making sure team members and locums know how to identify a walk-in patient who may have been referred from NHS 111
• Locums:

• • Consider locums’ ability to provide the service when making bookings
  • it is of critical importance that locum and relief pharmacists are made aware that the pharmacy is providing the service before they work at the premises
  • they MUST understand the service specification and SOP, and be able to provide the service
  • they need to have SCR access and know how to use the CPCS IT system
• Primary Care Networks (PCN) – PQS

• • Read and implement the PCN-PQS guidance in PSNC Briefing 047/19 regarding how to fulfill on this important part of the PQS requirements
  • Connect with your LPC colleagues to ensure that you understand what approach they have been taking to enable your completion of this
• Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) Engagement

• • LPCs are urging contractors to register for the MYS portal and Aspirational Payment as a failure to register could mean a potential loss of income to the contractor. It’s also vital for contractors to demonstrate support so other new services will be directed to us going forward
  • More broadly connect with your LPC to understand what CPCF steps are in place and ensure you avail yourself of all material support
• Professional Development
  • Consider what CPD or refreshing of skills could help you provide the service the NHS CPCS self-assessment tool can help you do this. All related content has been tagged on CPD Hub. Pro tip: Members are also able to enter ‘CPCS’ into the search bar to find all related content
  • Consider how the introduction of the [CPCS/CPCF] can impact on those team members currently in learning; HLC Addendum has been published
  • Pharmacists can also take advantage of the continuing professional development offer on the CPPE website

• On Demand content
  Access webinar recordings to view on demand, plus FAQs and additional resources.
  • Preparing to deliver the CPCS with a focus on the emergency supply regulations – webinar – Originally broadcast on 15 October
    The NPA’s Head of Advice and Support Services, Jasmine Shah, offered guidance for preparing to deliver the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) with a focus on the emergency supply regulations
  • You, me and the new funding agreement: what the CPCF means to you – Originally broadcast on 18 September
    Understand how the contract changes will affect your business and what you could or should be doing right now to prepare. Hear from other contractors what they are already doing, what they plan to do next and how they are working to get engagement locally to adopt the new framework. This is a practical session designed to answer your questions and help you to think through steps for your pharmacy. This webinar forms part of the Contract and Funding webinar series, find out more here
  • NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS): a golden opportunity for your pharmacy? – Originally broadcast on 31 July
    Andre Yeung & Mike Maguire, who know the service inside out – having developed and delivered the original NHS 111 referral service in the North East of England, help you to envisage what the brand new CPCS could mean for you
  • Watch Andre Yeung and Mike Maguire talk about the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service earlier this month at the Pharmacy Show 2019; click here to view