Pharmacy First Update letter 14th March 2022 HSC Correspondence
Research has shown that GPs can spend up to 40% of their working day dealing
with minor ailments. Whilst this may be entirely appropriate for some patients, for the majority it is an inconvenient and inefficient way of getting help for these conditions.
Pharmacies are well placed within communities and are essentially an ‘open door’ to the Health Service offering free independent health advice without the need for an appointment. One of the services that community pharmacists are trained to provide is the treatment of minor ailments. When a patient presents at a pharmacy with symptoms of a minor ailment, the pharmacist establishes if the symptoms are indeed minor in which case the pharmacist can offer advice and, if necessary, recommend appropriate treatment. If the symptoms are of a more serious nature, the pharmacist will refer the patient to another healthcare professional.
The service was first introduced to Northern Ireland in 2005, and referral into the service includes referral from GP practices, the community pharmacist or self-referral by the patient. Using this service the pharmacist can supply advice or advice and medicines for treatment of certain ailments, to suitable patients. Patients are not charged for this service.
Provision of the Pharmacy First Service through community pharmacies:
- Encourages patients to self-treat minor ailments
- Supports the use of pharmacy as a first point of call for health advice allowing pharmacists to make more use of their clinical skills
- Improves patient access to treatment without the need to contact their GP practice
- Provides an alternative to a GP consultation for minor ailments, allowing GPs more time for patients with more complex medical needs
- Benefits other parts of the healthcare service particularly Emergency departments and Out-Of-Hours medical services (OOHs)
Treatment Algorithms
The ECHO training session which was delivered live on Monday 21st February was recorded and is now available on the ECHO Moodle site. This recording must be viewed by all pharmacists prior to service delivery. Pharmacists must be registered with EHCO to view the recording.
The link to registration is https://tinyurl.com/C19CommPharmacyECHO . There is also a short video available here to assist with registration. Any problems please contact Elaine Kane at e.kane@hospiceuk.org Tel: 028 95582393.
A 35 minute webinar recorded by CPNI colleagues is also available to view HERE.
- Pharmacy First Service: Community Pharmacy Update May 2023
- Community Pharmacy Update Jan 2023
- EHC:Important Update
- Appendix 1 – EHC Service on-line survey QR code
- Appendix 2 – Pharmacy First EHC Service FAQs
- Pharmacy First EHC service providers list
- Pharmacy First EHC Service Specification
- Privacy Notice
- Pharmacy First EHC Contract
- Consultation form
- Fraser Competency form
- Claim form
- Gateway team contact details
- Ulipristal PGD
- Levonorgestrel PGD
- Desogestrel PGD
- EHC Bridging Contraception SOP
- FSRH decision-making algorithm for oral EC
- Know Your Option (KYO) patient information leaflet
- Pharmacy-First: Contraception-Poster-A4-High-Res
- Pharmacy-First: Contraception-Poster-A3-High-Res
- Pharmacy First: Contraception Twitter
- Pharmacy First: Contraception Instagram
Pharmacy First Service Update 31st October 2023
It has been confirmed by SPPG that recurrent funding has been secured to allow the continued provision of the Pharmacy First Service for the management of uncomplicated UTI in women aged 16-64 years.
Service Documentation
- List of participating pharmacies
- Service specification and guidance
- Consultation form
- Monthly Claim Form
- Privacy notice
- Contract
- Nitrofurantoin PGD
- Trimethoprim PGD
- NPA Template SOP uncomplicated LUTI
Training
- NIECR training (word)
- NIECR training (video)
- Community pharmacy ECHO training
- Training presentation for GP practices
- UTI Flowchart GP
- UTI Flowchart CP
- PHE pathway
- Link to the TARGET website / TARGET PIL (UTI)
- TARGET UTI Leaflet
- The recorded Zoom lecture is available on ECHO Moodle and must be viewed by all pharmacists prior to service delivery. Moodle is accessible for those registered with Project ECHO. Register with ECHO here.
Service Promotion
- Pharmacy First Service for UTI – Poster A4 (pdf)
- Pharmacy First Service for UTI – Poster A4 (jpg)
- Pharmacy First Service for UTI – Poster A3 (pdf)
- Pharmacy First Service for UTI – Twitter
- Pharmacy First Service for UTI – Instagram
Following the success of last years’ pilot Pharmacy First service for Sore Throat, it has been confirmed that a new Pharmacy First service for Sore Throat Winter 24/25 is being launched in participating pharmacies across NI from 1st December 2024.
Pharmacy First Pilot Service for Sore Throat: Evaluation Summary
MOIC evaluation: Pharmacy First PILOT sore throat service 23/24
Contact Details for Local (HSC) Integrated Care Offices:
| Belfast | South Eastern | Southern | Northern | Western |
| 12-22 Linenhall Street Belfast BT2 8BS | 12-22 Linenhall Street Belfast BT2 8BS | Tower Hill Armagh. BT61 9DR |
County
Hall 182 Galgorm Road Ballymena BT42 1QB |
Gransha
Park House 15 Gransha Park Clooney Road Londonderry BT47 6FN |
| Tel: 028 9536 3926 | Tel: 028 9536 3926 | Tel: 028 9536 2104 | Tel: 028 9536 2812 | Tel: 028 9536 1082 |
| pharmacyservicesbelfast@hscni.net | pharmacyservicesse@hscni.net | pharmacyservicessouth@hscni.net | pharmacyservicesnorth@hscni.net | pharmacyserviceswest@hscni.net |