The General Practice Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (GP CPCS) is a pathway that general practices use to refer patients with minor illness or low acuity conditions to a community pharmacist.
A patient referred electronically through GP CPCS will receive a consultation with a pharmacist in the consultation room or remotely where the pharmacist will clinically assess the patient, referring to SCR and NICE CKS as appropriate. The consultation is not a conversation over the counter, such as the Minor Ailments Service.
Only patients electronically referred from general practice or NHS 111 can be included in this service.
The greater use of pharmacists’ expertise can help ensure patients are provided with the right care by the right person at a time most convenient to them. This will increase capacity within general practice for the treatment of patients with higher acuity needs, both now and post pandemic.
This service aims to support the local NHS system and improve access to primary care through more effective use of existing resource, capacity, and expertise within the system
Benefits for patients
- Accessible & professional clinical service from the pharmacist of their choice
- Re-educate patients to go to the most appropriate healthcare professional for their needs
Benefits for General Practice
- Create capacity – more GP appointments available as those with minor illnesses/low acuity conditions have been referred to pharmacy
- Patients seen by the right healthcare professional at the right time
- Build on and enhance local relationships between primary care providers
Benefits for Pharmacy
- Allows community pharmacy to demonstrate its place within the NHS to manage patients with minor illnesses/low acuity conditions
- Build on and enhance local relationships between primary care providers
Benefits for the NHS
- Cost-effective use of NHS resources to support patients with minor illnesses/low acuity conditions
Useful resources
Accessing GP CPCS reports: surgery guide
GP CPCS GM Training Presentation
GP CPCS – Dos and Donts for General Practice
Dates for GP CPCS post-deployment drop in sessions:
Wed 6th July 12:30 to 1:30pm
Mon 11th July 12:00 to 1:00pm
Tues 19th July 12:00 to 1:00pm
Wed 27th July 12:30 to 1:30pm
Tues 2nd August 12:30 to 1:30pm
Thurs 11th August 12:00 to 1:00pm
Tues 16th August 12:00 to 1:00pm
Tues 23rd August 12:30 to 1:30pm
Tues 30th August 12:30 to 1:30pm
Microsoft Teams meeting link to join all of the above sessions: Click here to join the meeting