Services Database Pharmacy First Common Ailment’s Scheme 2014-15 (Across the Shropshire & Staffordshire Areas – 3 LPCs involved)
Service ID
19008
Description
Please note this service is commissioned across Shropshire and Staffordshire by the Shropshire & Staffordshire Area Team. Therefore, the following LPCs have the same minor ailment service in their areas:
- North Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent LPC
- Shropshire LPC
- South Staffordshire LPC
The service has only been added onto the Services Database under this entry to avoid duplication.
The Pharmacy First Scheme aims to provide any patient who is registered with a GP practice contracted to NHS England Shropshire & Staffordshire Area Team, with access to medication for the treatment of common ailments characterised by acute onset via community pharmacy. The service will be provided through community pharmacies contracted to NHS England Shropshire & Staffordshire Area Team who have signed up to provide this service.
The overall aim of the scheme is to ensure that patients can access self-care advice for the treatment of common ailments and, where appropriate, can be supplied with over the counter medicines, at NHS expense, to treat their ailment. This provides an alternative location from which patients can seek advice and treatment, rather than seeking treatment via a prescription from their GP or out of hours (OOH) provider, or via a walk-in centre or accident and emergency.
The Pharmacy First Scheme is offered as a quicker alternative for patients to access healthcare. Patients may choose to refuse this service and continue to access treatments in the same way as they have done previously.
The service is only available for the ailments listed in the Common Ailment’s List and in the pharmacies who have signed up to the service. Only medicines specified in these protocols may be supplied for the ailments specified.
Location of service
North Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent LPC
Commissioner
NHS England
Method of commissioning
Source of funding
NHS England
Service type
Minor ailment service
Other organisations involved
Dates
Start date: 01/12/2014
End date: 31/03/2014
Status
Completed
Training
All pharmacists and appropriately trained pharmacy staff working at participating pharmacies can provide this enhanced service if they are clinically competent in the treatment of common ailments.
All pharmacists and appropriately trained pharmacy staff working at participating pharmacies and providing the scheme should ensure that they continue, through continuing education and CPD, to keep up to date with guidance issued around of the treatment of common ailments, and OTC medicines.
