Community Pharmacy Consultation Service was launched by NHS England on 29th October 2019 and plays a vital role in healthcare systems.
They involve pharmacists providing various services to patients and the community, beyond simply dispensing medications. These services may include medication counseling, health screenings, immunisations, medication management, and minor ailment advice.
1. Enhanced patient care: Community pharmacists are trained medication experts who can provide valuable information and advice to patients regarding their medications, potential side effects, interactions, and proper usage. This helps improve patient understanding, adherence, and overall health outcomes.
2. Time-saving: By referring patients to community pharmacists for medication-related concerns, general practitioners can free up their own time to focus on other aspects of patient care. Pharmacists can address medication queries, review medication profiles, and offer appropriate advice, thus relieving some of the workload from doctors.
3. Medication management: Community pharmacists can assist with medication reviews, ensuring that patients are taking their medications correctly and identifying any potential issues such as duplications, interactions, or non-adherence. This collaborative approach between general practices and pharmacies can help optimise medication therapy and minimise medication-related problems.
4. Preventive care and health promotion: Community pharmacists can provide various preventive services such as vaccinations, smoking cessation support, blood pressure monitoring, and health screenings. By leveraging these services, general practices can extend their reach and improve public health outcomes within the community.
Overall, the collaboration between general practices and community pharmacies through consultation services can enhance patient care, optimize medication management, promote preventive care, and help alleviate the workload on healthcare providers.
The new GP contract changes 23/24 emphasises on improving patient access and creating more capacity for patient demand.
The three main requirements for access in the new contract are :
1. Not asking patients to contact the practice at a later time or day
2. Offering a service to the patient at the time of contact either at the practice or by signposting patients to other services and initiatives such as the CPCS
3. Ensuring that the patient who gets booked with the practice is seen within 2 weeks
How can Exelcius Health help ?
We can help your practice or practices in your PCN by training your staff on how to use the CPCS effectively which helps you meet your contractual requirement of signposting patients without increasing workload of your practice and also without increasing referrals to 111 and or A&E
Contact us today for a FREE and no obligation call to discuss ways in which we can help you stay compliant with your contractual requirements