PQS: Audit data collection tool now available
The data collection tool for the Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS) clinical audit is now available on the NHSBSA’s Manage Your Service (MYS) portal.
The clinical audit, developed with Community Pharmacy England, must be undertaken by pharmacies wanting to complete Domain 2 (Professional practice) of the PQS.
The audit focuses on the quality of Pharmacy First clinical pathway consultations and record keeping for those consultations.
Download the PQS 2026/27 clinical services audit – Pharmacy First clinical pathways consultations
Start adding your data to the data collection tool on MYS
FAQs
Q. Do I need to score 100% on the Consultation record quality standard?
No. The audit standard is 100%, and that is the goal. However, achieving 100% is not a requirement to meet the PQS requirements of the audit. The purpose of the audit is to identify strengths and areas for improvement, which pharmacists can then work on addressing in future Pharmacy First consultation records.
Q. Will I still be able to claim payment if I don’t score 100% on the Consultation record quality standard?
Yes. Your score on the Consultation record quality standard does not impact on your ability to claim payment for Domain 2 (Professional practice).
To be eligible to claim payment for Domain 2, pharmacists must compete the audit, including submitting data to NHS England; develop an action plan for improving practice; and have a peer discussion focused on reviewing the findings of the audit and the action plan, with a ‘buddy’ pharmacist no later than 31st March 2027.
Q. Can I carry out the audit on fewer than 10 patients?
No. The audit must be carried out on a minimum of 10 Pharmacy First consultation records and data submitted for these patients on the MYS data collection tool.
Clinical records of Pharmacy First clinical pathway consultations can be reviewed prospectively (at or shortly after the consultation) or retrospectively from the pharmacy’s clinical records of Pharmacy First clinical pathways consultations undertaken between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027.
Q. Will I receive an email confirmation when I have submitted my audit data?
Pharmacy owners who successfully complete their data collection submission will receive a data collection submission confirmation email as evidence that their submission has been successful.
This email must be provided if a pharmacy owner needs to demonstrate that they have successfully completed their data collection submission.
Should a pharmacy owner not receive this data submission confirmation email within one hour of submitting their declaration then, after first checking their junk email folder, they should email the provider assurance team at pharmacysupport@nhsbsa.nhs.uk immediately to make them aware of the issue.
