IT update: More Pharmacy First referrals flowing directly into pharmacy systems

NHS-approved pharmacy clinical services IT systems have the functionality to receive referrals from other NHS providers, such as general practices.

In many cases, these referrals are sent from the referrer’s IT system to the pharmacy system using IT functionality defined by the NHS Booking and Referral IT Standard (BaRS).

What’s changed?

The GP IT system, SystmOne (provided by TPP), has now rolled out the ability for GP practices to send Pharmacy First referrals to pharmacy teams using BaRS.

This builds on last year’s progress, when Optum GP systems (formerly known as EMIS) rolled out Pharmacy First referrals via BaRS.

With both two main GP IT system suppliers now live sending referrals via BaRS, more referrals from general practice are arriving directly into pharmacy clinical services IT systems, in the same way that NHS 111 referrals already do.

What do pharmacy teams need to do?

No action is needed by pharmacy teams. Pharmacy clinical services IT systems will automatically receive BaRS referrals.

If your local general practices use SystmOne as their clinical IT system, pharmacy teams could consider highlighting the new functionality the system now has to send through Pharmacy First referrals.

Benefits of BaRS referrals for pharmacy teams and GPs

• Referrals are structured, formal and easier to send, track and receive
• Less chance of a referral being missed
• Referral details appear directly in the Pharmacy First workflow
• No need to copy and paste from emails or PDFs

This supports safer, more efficient care and reduces administrative burden.

NHS.net Connect (NHSmail) remains important

Pharmacy teams must continue to monitor NHS.net Connect for other referrals.

Email remains the backup method if the integrated referral system is unavailable — for referrals from both GP practices and NHS 111.

IT supplier status overview

Pharmacy First referrals via BaRS are now live within the systems listed below.

Pharmacy IT systems:

• Cegedim Pharmacy Services
• Optum Pinnacle PharmOutcomes
• Positive Solutions HxConsult
• Sonar

GP IT systems:

• Optum Web
• Optum PharmRefer
• TPP SystmOne