Community Pharmacy Digital Group (CPDG)

CPDG membership may include:

• pharmacy team members or LPC members with an interest in IT and digital developments;
• IT system suppliers; and

CP ITG meeting attendees.

CPDG members often get early sight of new digital developments and technology. Views shared through the group are fed directly into CP ITG discussions.

The group operates as a virtual email network, making it easy to take part alongside day‑to‑day pharmacy work.

To join, click on the sign‑up section further down the page.

The group exists to gather views from across community pharmacy and feed them into CP ITG and other national pharmacy digital programmes.

CPDG and CP ITG focus on shared digital workstreams and aim to help community pharmacy teams prepare for upcoming NHS digital changes.

CPDG continues to welcome new pharmacy team and LPC members and we encourage you to join.

CPDG may also linked to smaller, focused sub‑groups, as and when required.

See also:

CPDG how to participate and terms of reference document

CPDG covers the same core workstream areas as CP ITG. You can choose to comment on any area that interests you.

• Systems & Services IT
  Robust IT solutions for NHS pharmacy services, including technical specifications, supplier frameworks, and innovation incentives.

• Data Flow, Standards & IT Communications
  Structured messaging, expanded data standards, NHSmail improvements, and unified pharmacy datasets.

• Electronic Health Records
  Access to shared care records, integration with the National Care Records Service, and alignment with PRSB standards.

• Referrals & Appointments
  Universal adoption of NHS Booking and Referral Standard (BaRS), integrated appointment booking via NHS App, and support for Pharmacy First referrals.

• Digital Patient Services & Prescriptions
  Next-generation EPS, NHS App integration, medicine tracking, and visibility of pharmacy services.

• Connectivity & Data Security
  Simplified login processes, robust connectivity, and secure systems aligned with NHS standards.

See also: CP ITG Roadmap

You can sign up by emailing it@cpe.org.uk with ‘CPDG join request’ in the subject line.

Please include:

• the pharmacy or organisation you work for; and
• your pharmacy ODS code or codes.

Applications are usually processed within several working days. You will receive a confirmation email once your request has been approved.

If you experience any sign‑up issues, please email Dan Ah‑Thion, Community Pharmacy England’s Community Pharmacy IT Policy Manager.

Q. I cannot see emails from the group.
A. Messages may be going to your junk or spam folder. Mark the email as ‘not spam’ so future messages arrive in your main inbox.

Q. How do I take part?
A. Once signed up, you can email the group’s @googlegroups.com address to share views, news or respond to polls. You can do this from your usual email address.

Q. I am very busy. What is involved if I subscribe?
A. There is no minimum commitment. You can take part as much or as little as you wish.

Q. Who is the group for and what is the purpose?
A. The group is aimed at pharmacy staff and LPC members. It gathers views to inform NHS England, IT system suppliers and wider pharmacy digital work. In March 2018, more than 40 members had joined and membership remains open.

Q. I cannot access the group forum page.
A. You do not need to access this. It is simply an archive of messages and is only viewable if you use a Gmail address.

Q. I have a technical or administrative issue.
A. Please contact Dan Ah‑Thion at Community Pharmacy England.

Q. Can I unsubscribe later?
A. Yes. You can use the unsubscribe link in any group email or contact Dan to confirm removal.