Services Database General Practice Digital Minor Illness Referral Enhanced Service (GP DMIRS)

As part of the Pharmacy Integration Fund programme of work to integrate community pharmacy into local NHS urgent care pathways, a new approach is being taken to create a digital process for sending a “referral” to a community pharmacist instead of booking a GP appointment for a low acuity minor illness assessment.
The purpose of the GP DMIRS is to reduce the burden on general practice by referring patients requiring advice and treatment for certain low acquity conditions from a GP practice to a community pharmacist. Its aim is to ensure that patients have access to the same levels of care, close to home and with a self-care emphasis.
The end points of the consultation may include:

• Advice given only
• Advice and the sale of an Over the Counter (OTC) medicine
• Advice and referral into a pharmacy local Minor Ailments Service (MAS) (dependent on local commissioning arrangements)
• Advice and referral into a local Patient Group Direction service (dependent on local commissioning arrangements)
• Advice and referral back to the patient’s GP (pharmacist to arrange appointment for the patient at the patient’s own GP – as part of this service)
• Advice and signpost on to another service.