Services Database Chlamydia Screening in Community Pharmacy (Buckinghamshire)

This service is for the delivery of chlamydia screening to males and females aged 15 to 24 years in the community pharmacy setting.

The aims of the service are to: 

• increase access to the chlamydia screening programme by providing additional locations where people can access screening;
• increase access for young people to sexual health advice and referral on to specialist sexual health services where required; and
• increase clients’ knowledge of the risks associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

This service is only to be provided by a locally accredited pharmacist.  The pharmacist must:

• be currently registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council;
• attend training on Chlamydia screening;
• complete  the  CPPE training on ‘Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults;
• demonstrate a continuing professional development (CPD) portfolio which supports all aspects of this work;
• have a current Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and send the form to Public Health; and
• return a signed service statement.

Newly accredited pharmacists and accredited locums must sign the statement at any branch before they start to provide the service at that branch. Updated statements must be submitted to Public Health at Buckinghamshire County Council.

Counter assistants

•  Counter assistants who have attended a Buckinghamshire chlamydia screening training session can offer chlamydia screening kits, as long as they are working alongside a pharmacist who is accredited to deliver chlamydia screening.
• Counter assistants will approach young people in the targeted age group, explain the importance of chlamydia screening, how the test works and distribute test kits. They will not take clients into a consulting room, or engage in discussions about the young person’s sexual history. If further discussion is required, the counter assistant must refer the client to the accredited pharmacist.